Duke and Duchess of Sussex in New Zealand

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their first official Tour as a married couple, to Australia, Fiji, Tonga, and New Zealand, from October 16th to the 31st, mainly in connection with the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney. Right before the start of the visit the couple announced that the Duchess is expecting their first child. Click HERE to take a look at the previous days of the Tour.

Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images

On the morning of October 28th, the Duke and Duchess departed Australia on a Royal New Zealand AirForce flight for Wellington, and, along with the New Zealand Invictus Games competitors who were traveling with them, were welcomed by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on arrival. Click HERE to look at past royal visits to New Zealand!

Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images

Afterwards, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the traditional welcome ceremony on the lawns of Government House, the residence of Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy, and were invited to hongi with the Governor-General’s Kuia and Kaumātua (Māori elders), before the pōwhiri, which included a haka performed by members of the New Zealand Defence Force. Later, the Duke and Duchess traveled to the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park, to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, and visit the newly unveiled UK War Memorial, which was followed by a walkabout in the Memorial Park.

Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images

In the evening, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex received official calls from the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition at Government House, before attending a reception hosted by Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy celebrating the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage in New Zealand. The Duchess gave a speech.

Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images

In the morning, the Duke wore a grey suit with a grey tie, his medals, and a poppy. The Duchess wore an ASOS dress with a Karen Walker Trench Coat, her Birks Earrings, and a poppy. At the Reception, the Duke wore a navy suit with a poppy. The Duchess wore the Gabriella Hearst Herve dress with a necklace with a traditional Maori design.

28

3 thoughts on “Duke and Duchess of Sussex in New Zealand

  1. I liked the Karen Walker trench coat and the black Herve dress the Duchess wore during this visit. Also, I think she is having an influence in Prince Harry’s attire- and for the better. He still wears blue suits, but not exclusively. She has gotten him to branch out to gray and teal! Hurrah! And the Maori natives have it clear: you either come as a friend or you do not and they want to know. I wished things were that straightforward everywhere. Diplomacy would be a cinch! 🙂

  2. BTW, I wonder if Lady Davina Lewis and her husband Gary Lewis were invited to the reception with the Duke and Duchess. Lady Davina is the daughter of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, so she’s family.

    1. I should say “they’re” family, not just “she”. They’ve been married since 2004 and have a daughter and a son.

Leave a Reply