The Duke of Cambridge has been on a short 2 day visit to New Zealand at the request of the Prime Minister of New Zealand, following the terrorist attacks in Christchurch.
The Duke began his visit with a wreath-laying ceremony for ANZAC day at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, to honour Australian and New Zealand soldiers. He arrived with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, and they partook of the traditional Maori tribal greeting, the hongi, by touching noses. Tens of thousands of New Zealanders where at the ceremony to pay their respects. Armed police officers stood guard during the hymns and speeches, whilst others watched from the museum’s roof, with trucks and buses blocking the surrounding roads, Following the attack, and the fact that that is the very reason Prince William made this visit, security was very tight. As William travelled from the airport in a car, helicopters circled over head and a police escort guided him safely through the city. Some planned events were cancelled due to fears for safety and security. William did not speak at the ceremony, but the Prime Minister did, and had been present at the earlier traditional dawn service. She linked the ceremony to the attack, saying that their coming together for the event was a reminder of their shared values following the attack. A moments silence and prayers were also said for the persecuted Christians in Sri Lanka.
The Duke started the focus of his visit at the city's Justice and Emergency Services Precinct, to meet emergency staff who responded to the disaster. He was met by Police Commissioner Mike Bush and met officers and ambulance staff. “I'm sure the team pulls together,” he said, when enquiring about how they coordinated their teams in response to the attack, and how their training helped them. Later, the Duke visited Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland. One patient, Alen Alsati, asked William if he had a daughter. Alsati woke earlier this week after being in a coma since the attacks on two Mosques in Christchurch, earlier this month. She suffered critical injuries. The Prince responded to her question with, “Yes, she’s called Charlotte. She’s about the same age as you.” Speaking to first responders the Duke of Cambridge said, “did an incredible job on a very bad day,” whilst at the city's Justice and Emergency Services Precinct.
On his second day, the Duke met Imam Gamel Fouda as well as prime minister Jacinda Ardern and mayor of Christchurch Lianne Dalziel, at the Masjid Al Noor mosque. 42 died in the terrorist attack that took place there. 160 members of the muslim community gathered to welcome the Duke of Cambridge as he arrived at the mosque. He politely removed his shoes before entering. "Right now my heart is aching. I'm feeling the pain. I lost my wife, I lost many people here,” said Farid Ahmad, who was injured in the attack that also took the life of his wife, "I would like to say to the victims, you are not alone. We share your pain and we are together. Your royal highness, you are an inspiration for the world." Farid Ahmad broke down as he met the Prince.
The Duke of Cambridge addressed those assembled there, saying, "On the March 15, tragedy unfolded in this room. A terrorist attempted to sow division and hatred in a place that stands for togetherness and selflessness. He thought he could redefine what this place was. I'm here to help you show the world that he failed." He then went on to explain how he couldn’t believe the news when he woke up to it on 15th March. He added, "I have known of New Zealanders from the earliest moments of my life, that you are people who look out to the world with optimism. You have a warm-hearted interest about cultures, religions and people thousands of miles from your shores. In a moment of acute pain, you stood up and you stood together. In reaction to tragedy you achieved something remarkable."
Later, the Duke reflected on his own experiences of grief through the loss of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, "I've had reason myself to reflect on grief, sudden pain and loss in my own life. What I've realised is that of course grief can change your outlook, you don't forget the shock and sadness or pain, but I do not believe grief changes who you are. If you let it, it will reveal who you are. It will reveal depths you did not know you had."
Kensington Palace released a video of the Duke talking to those gathered inside the mosque. In particular he spoke to a woman holding a young girl, and said, "I'm so sorry this has happened to you. It should never have. Extremism in all its forms must be defeated. The message from Christchurch and the message from Al Noor and Linwood mosques could not be more clear: the global ideology of hate will fail to divide us."
In his final address before leaving the mosque, he said, “To the people of New Zealand and the people of Christchurch - to our Muslim community and all those who have rallied to your side: I stand with you in gratitude for what you have taught the world these past weeks. An act of violence was designed to change New Zealand, but instead the grief of a nation revealed just how deep the values of warmth, compassion and love really run." He also praised Prime Minister Ardern for her, "extraordinary leadership and compassion,” following the attacks, and indeed this is an echo of the worldwide praise she has received following her response to the shootings.
I think the Duke did an excellent job representing the Queen. He gave encouragement, met with the right people, and gave support. He shone a light where it needed to be shone. He was professional, yet personal, and solemn, yet full of hope and respect. I think it is excellent that the Prime Minister could ask him to come on a visit, even a short one, as our Queen is their head of state too, and they must be able to help those in the Queen’s other realms and territories too.