Edward in New Zealand

for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and the 150th Anniversary of Wanganui Collegiate School, NZ

The Earl of Wessex made an eight day official tour of New Zealand on behalf of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and to attend the 150th anniversary of Wanganui Collegiate School where Edward served two terms as a tutor.  For Edward the trip represented a return to a country that has come to occupy a special place in his heart.  His only regret was that Sophie was unable to accompany him, but it won't be long before Sophie and Louise will be back at his side.

Prince Edward was a smash hit with announces in New Zealand.  At the Michael Fowler Centre Lunch,  in Wellington attended by the Rotary Club members and senior students of 30 schools, Edward showed his mettle as a public speaker.  Edward's quick wit and experience in addressing such diverse audience was soon obvious, as the crowd clearly enjoyed the speech.   Edward himself appeared to enjoy the audience and lively joked with the audience.  He noted that since becoming an honourary member of a Rotary Club in Surrey, he had failed to ever return.

Edward soon got down to business of congratulating the Gold Award winners of the Young New Zealanders' Challenge.  The awards were previously under the Duke of Edinburgh banner, but have since changed their name to became more relevant to New Zealand.  The awards were handed out at Government House.

The opportunity to receive their awards from the Earl of Wessex left many recipients more than a bit nervous.  They simply were unsure of how to act around him.  The matter was further complicated by the organiser of the event who gave them a few pointers of protocol before the event.  Such as not to bow or curtsey, to not take photos of Edward close up, or ask him for an autograph and  not to sing with the first few bars of God Save the Queen.  It came down to Edward to remind the group to relax and enjoy the party which was after all in their honour. Edward congratulated the group on their achievement and shook hands with every one as he handed out their award.

In a rare moment, the Earl of Wessex thanked the media who was covering the event, as he believes that the country should congratulate the award winners on their achievement.

Edward then took the time to speak to a number of the awardees and their friends and parents.  Matt McGuinness, of Lower Hutt, noted that the royal more laid back than he expected, although he could not remember what Edward had asked his as he had been too nervous.   McGinness noted, "he was cool. He was just really modest and not too posh, which I thought he would be."Edward also visited a television production house in Wellington.  Although their was an initial concern about the discovery of a fake bomb in the studio, Edward shrugged it off , joking that the bomb dogs usually find people launches, not props.  Edward also visiting Pataka Museum's Eternal Thread exhibition in Porirua.  The Earl of Wessex also made an impromptu visit to the victims of recent floods in New Zealand.  

The Earl of Wessex was also able to visit Abel Tasman National Park in Nelson.  Prince Edward had been scheduled to visit the nature reserve a few years ago, but long heavy rains cancelled the trip.  For Edward the trip was well worth the wait, he was clearly interested in the guided tour of the park which included the Department of Conservation's hut, Awaroa Lodge and a seal  colony at Tonga Island.

Edward was more relaxed during the private visit, wearing causal clothing and making polite conversation with overseas visitors and the staff of the park.  He also spend time talking to the relatives of ceramic artist, Christine Boswijk.  The artist herself spend time talking to Edward about the culture of New Zealand, while he admired her work.  She described Edward as  "very personable young man.  He was easy to be with. He was utterly natural, with no pomp." 

Edward was given a wooden bumble bee as a gift for Louise from the  mayor of Tasman, John Hurley and his wife Kathryn, to add to her growing collection of toys.  Edward's appearance in the park however led many holiday makers confused as they failed to recognise who he was.  

On Saturday and Sunday Edward was the guest of honour at the Anniversary celebrations of Wanganui Collegiate School.  He noted that it was a wonderful experience to became reacquainted with old friends  The school's celebrations appear to have been very successful.

Edward's visit hopefully drew attention to the New Zealand Challenge and the achievement of it's participants.  

What to give a Prince who has everything?

This was the question facing the Wanganui community faced during Edward's visit to New Zealand last week.  The marae kaumatua was unable to come up with a solution, and I must admit that it does appear to be a daunting one, when her niece suggested that they give Edward a cat.  But this isn't any old tabby cat.  

Wanganui's Melanie Donne came up with the idea of giving Edward a rare breed of feline, unique to New Zealand and indeed the world.  The posh kitty has the breeder's name of Bernkastel Marquis.

It is not known if Edward actually likes cats and I was unable to find any news about if the cat was given.  However it does bring a smile to think of the New Zealand kitty running around Buckingham Palace, teasing the corgis (which all cats do) and curling up on the throne with the greatest majesty that one would think that it was the Queen of England.