A royal salute from a 100-man Navy, Army and Air Force Royal Guard of Honour greeted Prince William when he arrived in Wellington on 18 January.
Prince William inspected the Guard, accompanied by the Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae. He then joined Prime Minister John Key and National War Memorial chairman Rear Admiral David Ledson (rtd), at the Hall of Memories where he laid a wreath inscribed with: “In deep respect and grateful memory of the men and women of the armed forces who have sacrificed their lives for New Zealand and for freedom.”
After the wreath laying, Prince William placed a poppy on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. He chatted with a number of New Zealand Defence Force personnel who had been members of the Guard, before going on to represent the Queen at the opening of the new Supreme Court building in Wellington. During his three day visit to New Zealand, the Prince also visited Wellington Children’s Hospital, and enjoyed a barbecue hosted by the Prime Minister at Premier House.