London: Prince William, the second in line
to the British throne, is to make his first official overseas
visit on behalf of the Queen when he travels to New Zealand.
The journey, scheduled for January, 2010 will be the
first time the Prince will be on a formal visit. He will
officiate at the opening of the new Supreme Court building in
Wellington and carry out engagements in Auckland.
The 27-year-old Prince will subsequently travel to
Australia, where he will carry out engagements in Sydney and
Melbourne.
The Prince is expected increasingly to carry out
official engagements on behalf of his grandmother, Queen
Elizabeth II, 83 and The Prince Philip, 88 the Duke of
Edinburgh.
The first part of the trip - between January 17 to 19
takes in Auckland and Wellington and will be paid for by the
New Zealand government.
He was last in New Zealand in 2005 for the British
Lions' rugby tour, during which he laid a wreath during an
official engagement in Auckland.
The two days in Sydney and Melbourne will be
privately funded by the Queen as it is not classed as an
official visit. The trip was suggested by Prince William.
He will use it to learn more about issues affecting
Aborigines and visit the area near Melbourne that was
devastated in February by bush fires in which 173 people died.
Kevin Rudd, the Australian Prime Minister, said in a
statement: "The visit originated from a request to the
government of Australia by Prince William to visit the country
so as to begin to get to know Australia and its people.
"Prince William will focus on his core interests of
supporting servicemen and women, helping young people fulfil
their potential, and sustainable development in the light of
climate change.
"Buckingham Palace is hoping that the high-profile
trip, involving one of the most popular and photogenic members
of the Royal Family, will reinforce the close links between
Britain and the two Commonwealth countries.
A St. James' palace spokesman said: "Prince William's
visit to New Zealand will deepen his personal links with the
country and its people.
The visit to Australia will enable him to get to know
the country, it's people, and build on the Royal family's
close links.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, November 03, 2009, 20:32