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While celebrations to mark the end of World War II brought the rest of his family together in London, Prince William was going solo thousands of miles away in New Zealand.
The 23-year-old, who has just finished an 11-day tour of the country, inspected a guard of honour in Auckland before laying a wreath at the foot of the Cenotaph. His latest public appearance came just a few days after he completed his first ever engagement as the Queen's official representative by taking part in a war memorial service in Wellington.
Wills might have been forgiven for feeling a little nervous, but the well-wishers and veterans at Auckland War Museum did their best to put him at ease. "People think you're doing great – you just keep it up," said 85-year-old Fred Allen, who served in the Solomon Islands and Italy. The Prince then asked the octogenarian, who captained the All Blacks after completing his military service, for some rugby tips.
William is unlikely to have remembered his last encounter with Army veteran Tom Hanna, however, as he was just a babe in arms at the time. "He's magnificent – a real product of his mother," said the former soldier, who previously met the royal 23 years ago at Government House. "He'll make a great king." |
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