The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall in New Zealand Part 2
Continuing their tour of New Zealand, the Duchess of Cornwall traveled to the Bay of Islands for a formal Maori Welcome at the Waitangi Grounds. The couple met with members of the Maori community during a reception before touring the grounds and the Waitangi Museum. The treaty is regarded as New Zealands founding document that consecrated the relationship between Maori and the Crown.
From there the Duchess of Cornwall visited students at Kerikeri Primary school. She met children participating in the Garden to Table programme, an initiative that encourages children to grow their own produce and then learns to make recipes using what they have grown.
On the final day of their tour, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall traveled to Christchurch. There, they met people who were impacted by the mosque attacks earlier this year as well as the earthquake the region experienced in 2011. The Duke of Cambridge visited Christchurch following the attacks earlier this year, the deadliest mass shooting in New Zealand's history.
The couple then received a traditional welcome at Tuahiwi Marae, a tribal meeting ground. Charles and Camilla, joined by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, visited Cashmere High School. Two students had been killed during the Mosque attacks and several others were injured.
While the Prince of Wales attended a reception, the Duchess of Cornwall met with organizations that support her work with young people and reading. Camilla also met with students who entered the 2019 Queens Commonwealth Essay Competition and revealed next years theme: Climate Action and Commonwealth.
During her next engagement at a Salvation Army Centre, Camilla joined senior chef members in the kitchen to learn about the benefits of healthy eating and how the programme helps seniors gain skills in cooking and grow their confidence. Finally the Duchess of Cornwall watched performances from Silver Swans, a program that provides Ballet lessons through the Royal Academy of Dance. She was also treated to a medley of the Queens Songs by the Rockers of Ages Choir.
The Duchess of Cornwall returned to the U.K. following the visit while the Prince of Wales continued on to the Solomon Islands. xx