This Autumn of 2019 has been very busy for the Prince of Wales and his wife. After attending the Remembrance Sunday Event, which you can read about elsewhere on this blog, the Prince departed for a 2 day trip to India. The trip began whilst he was still on British soil, however, when he released the following statement:
“As I depart for India, on my tenth official visit, I did just want to convey my warmest best wishes to all of you in the Sikh Community in the United Kingdom, and across the Commonwealth, on the 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
The principles on which Guru Nanak founded the Sikh religion, and which guide your lives to this day, are ones which can inspire us all – hard work, fairness, respect, and selfless service to others. In embodying these values, Sikhs have made the most profound contribution to the life of this country, and continue to do so, in every imaginable field, just as you do in so many other places around the world.
This week, as Sikhs everywhere honour the founder of your faith, my wife and I wanted you to know just how much your community is valued and admired by us all, and that our thoughts are with you at this very special time.”
The Prince is known to be passionate about interfaith discussions, and supporting people of all beliefs and religions. He has said that when he becomes King, he would like to change one of his titles from, ‘Defender of the Faith,’ to, ‘Defender of Faith.’ This passion of his was demonstrated in his statement to the Sikh community. This theme continued in his visit to India. Due to his own personal stance on interfaith work, and supporting all beliefs, it is of no surprise to me that the Prince was chosen for this trip to India, to celebrate the 550th birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The visit was at the request of the Foreign Office.
The trip began on 13th November in New Delhi, India. The Prince met the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he planted a tree in the gardens. The Prince also learnt about new technology that enables the earlier detection of cyclones, that will help India and other countries to prepare better for these natural disasters. This was during his visit to the National Weather Forecasting Centre, part of the India Meteorological Department. At Bangla Sahib Gurdwara, the Prince celebrated the 550th anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak, by meeting members of the Sikh community. The Prince had a go at making chapati too! Chapati is a type of Indian bread. With his personal interest in the environment, I am sure that the Prince also enjoyed his ride on an e-rickshaw, an environmentally-friendly and sustainable alternative to the Indian traditional method of transport that runs on clean energy.
The Prince ended his time in New Delhi with a Service of Remembrance at Delhi War Cemetery. The Prince laid a wreath to commemorate all those who have lost their lives in conflicts. Following that, he looked around the cemetery, where over 1000 people from Commonwealth countries are buried or commemorated, who fought in the second world war.
Whilst Charles was in India, we heard about the work of another of his initiatives, this time The Prince of Wales’s Foundation. The Foundation, partnered with Yoox Net-a-Porter Group, has enabled students from the UK and Italy to work on a sustainable collection of menswear and womenswear. The project, called, ‘Modern Artisan Project,’ helps students navigate the fast-paced digital landscape, and all profits from the sale of the clothing will be donated to The Prince of Wales’s Foundation. I think it is great that the Prince has set up so many initiatives and foundations and trusts. He clearly cares about people, and now he can also bring his other interests such as conservation and sustainability, into that, which I think this project and partnership demonstrates.
On the second day of his trip, the Prince of Wales celebrated his 71st Birthday, in Mumbai. The Prince was born on 14th November 1948 at Buckingham Palace. His mother was then the Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh. Apparently, Prince Charles’s father, the Duke of Edinburgh, was playing Squash whilst his wife was in labour! The young Prince grew up at Clarence House, until his mother became Queen in 1952, when the Prince was 3 years old. He attended Cambridge, did a gap year, spent time studying in Wales, and spent time in the Armed Forces. He has spent his life in support of the Queen, waiting for his time as King.
The Prince celebrated his birthday with a cake and card given to his by school children, as part of his visit to the British Asian Trust, He attended a meeting of the British Asian Trust, which Charles set up in 2007 to help tackle the poverty and inequality that is spread across South Asia. The Prince was joined by singer Katy Perry, who had heard about the trust, and wished to know more and show her support.
So, there we have the short, but busy, solo visit of the Prince of Wales to India. A success all round. I think the engagements were very definitive of the Prince’s causes, interests and passions that he champions and supports. But that was only the beginning of the Autumn Tour. A few days later, on 18th November, the Prince, this time joined by his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, embarked on a tour of New Zealand, this being their third joint visit. Many members of the royal family visit New Zealand, and neighbouring Australia, as the Queen is Head of State and Queen of these countries, amongst others.
The couple started their tour in Auckland. They visited the Wesley Community Centre that was set up by a group of young people who wanted a place for their community to meet. The Duchess met women helped by the support group Belong Aotearoa, for migrant women and refugees, and helped them make Christmas Tree decorations at a craft table. Meanwhile the Prince saw the work of the Bike Kitchen, and spoke to mechanics who fix up donated bikes that are then given to those in need. He also visited RYZ FM community radio station. Afterwards, the couple watched a cultural performance by Tatau Mānaia.
During this first day TRH’s attended a service of remembrance at Mt Roskill War Memorial, where the Prince laid a wreath. The service commemorated those from New Zealand who lost their lives in World War One. The couple also visited Niue Memorial, which recognises 150 Niueans who lost their lives with the 3rd Maori Contingent during the War, and met veterans and their guests. To end this first day, the Prince and Duchess followed in the Queen’s footsteps at the Presentation of The Queen’s Colour Ceremony at RNZAF Whenuapai. The Queen first presented her colour to the NZAF at Whenuapai in 1953. Charles said, “Over the decades since The Queen first gave you her Colour, you have upheld your proud traditions of service and duty, whilst continuing to adapt and to rise to the challenges of an ever-changing world. For my part, I need hardly say how proud I am of all of you, and just how much I value this bond with you - today and for the future.” The couple then met members of the RNZAF and their families.
The second day began with an official welcome ceremony; greeted by the Kaumātua and Kuia, the couple had a traditional Maori greeting from the New Zealand Defence Force. The Prince then took the salute and inspected the guard. The Prince of Wales then had a meeting with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardem.
The next day, the Prince undertook an engagement that I am sure he found encouraging and interesting. At Auckland Harbour, he saw the work of the Sea Cleaners, who voluntarily remove plastic and rubbish from the waters around the coast of New Zealand. Travelling around in a boat, His Royal Highness learned that since 2002, 160,000 volunteer hours have gone into removing 8.5 million litres of waste from the sea. The group also educates schools, communities and businesses about their work. The boat they travelled in runs on, ‘plastic petrol.’ The Prince first spoke in public about his personal concerns about plastic in and pollution of the ocean, in 1970, long before it was a topical and in vogue issue. Therefore I believe that the Prince is personally interested in this issue, and I think it’s great that he can spread the word and shed a spotlight on the work of those such as the Sea Cleaners.
Later that evening, the Prince and Duchess attended reception at Government House hosted by the Governor-General of New Zealand.
On the third day of their our, TRH’s attended a Pōwhiri, a formal welcome, at Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Addressing the tribe, whilst wearing traditional clothing called the korowai, the Prince said, “In standing before you here today, I humbly reaffirm my commitment, and that of my children and grandchildren, to this bond between us, and to ensuring that it endures for future generations.” The couple then visited the Waitangi Museum and met guests from the Maori community. I think this was a significant engagement, as the Waitangi Treaty is the official agreement between the Maori and the Crown, and is the document that founded New Zealand and sets out the relationship between the native Maori and the Crown.
The Duchess travelled to the Bay of Islands to visit Kerikeri Primary School. There, she saw how children are getting involved in a, ‘Garden to Table,’ programme, where they grow their own vegetables and make recipes from the vegetables they have grown themselves. The Duchess seemed to enjoy meeting the school’s therapy dog, Meg!
Throughout the tour, the Prince attended events organised by and in conjunction with The Prince’s Trust New Zealand. On day 3 of the tour he met entrepreneurs who through The Trust’s Enterprise programme have been supported in starting their own environmentally-friendly start-ups. He heard stories of young people helped by the Trust, during a tea with beneficiaries and supporters, in Auckland. The Prince said, “This is just the beginning, and it is my dearest wish that Prince’s Trust New Zealand will go from strength to strength in the months and years ahead so that, together, we can make the greatest possible difference in supporting the young people of New Zealand to achieve their full potential.” According to the official instagram account of Clarence House, The Prince’s Trust New Zealand has two branches; Achieve, which equips young learners with skills for further education and employment, and Enterprise, which helps young people start their own businesses, are the two ways that the Trust helps young people. I think it is great that the Prince has extended his highly successful Trust across the world, and is personally active in making a difference in countries such as New Zealand, that are still ruled by the Queen.
Later on, the Prince visited the Fire Station in Paihia, and met with the Chief Fire Officer, firefighters and first responders, all of whom carry out their role voluntarily. The group was established in 1965. I think it is heartening that people are willing to volunteer in this way, and I hope that their royal visit will show how grateful people are for all those who volunteer in their communities across the world. The Prince also met members of the local community.
Day 4 was a rest day for the couple, and they did not undertake any engagements that day.
On the fifth day of their tour, TRH’s arrived in Christchurch, where they were greeted by Dr Te Maire Tau, Upoko Rūnanga (Head) of Ngāi Tūāhuriri and Arapata Reuben, Chair of Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga. They were welcomed with a traditional ceremony, accompanied by their haitiaki (hosts), John Robert Crofts and Elizabeth Kereru. The couple once again wore korowai, Maori cloaks. They then attended a reception. Later, joined by Jacinda Ardem, the couple visited Cashmere High School, where they were greeted by the Principal and Head Boy, and then watched a performance by pupils. The Prince gave a speech, before the couple had a private meeting with pupils and their families who were affected by the mosque attacks earlier this year. During his speech, the Prince said, It seems to me that the only possible remedy for such understandable feelings of despair, is hope. Hope that love will triumph over hate, that understanding might dispel suspicion, and that the strength of our communities can prevail against all efforts to divide us. In this regard, my wife and I have been so greatly heartened by the way that the people of Christchurch, and of New Zealand, have come together in quiet but determined defiance of those who seek to sow such division. You have held hands, to support your neighbours and to demonstrate to the world that there is no place for hatred in this society.”
Next, still with the Prime Minister, the Prince and Duchess met Lianne Dalziel, Mayor of Christchurch, Peter Guthrey, Chair of Christchurch Cathedral Reinstatement Trust and Peter Carrell, Bishop of Christchurch Diocese at Turanga Library, to view progress on the building project of Christchurch Cathedral. The Prince attended a reception, where speeches were made and the Prince unveiled a plaque, Richard Wallace, Māori Bishop for the South Island closed the ceremonies with a prayer. The Prince met assembled guests, and then viewed the building site and it’s progress. Prince Charles is Patron of the Christ Church Reinstatement Trust. The Duchess, meanwhile, visited the library, where she attended a workshop for young people partaking in The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, accompanied by David Eggleton, New Zealand Poet Laureate. The Duchess presented the Gold Award for the competition. The Duchess also visited stallholders at Riverside Market, sampled produce, and picked up culinary tips from Chef Elliott at Riverside Kitchen.
Afterwards, the Duchess visited the Salvation Army Centre, to see how different organisations are helping the elderly stay active and healthy. The Duchess helped prepare a meal with the Senior Chef programme staff, and saw a performance of dance from the Silver Swans, a group developed by the Royal Academy of Dance to teach ballet to the elderly, and listened to The Rockers of Ages choir. The Duchess launched the Senior Chef cookbook and met the performers. Active ageing is a focus of the Duchess’s work, and she is patron of several charities and organisations that support the health and wellbeing of the elderly, tackling isolation and loneliness. The Duchess herself enjoys walking her dogs, hiking, and swimming, to keep herself fit and well. I think it is great that the Duchess can support causes that she herself can demonstrate and understand, and causes that are often neglected to some extent in the wider public sphere.
Meanwhile, the Prince delivered a speech on the state of the environment at Lincoln University. No doubt the Prince was genuine in his remarks. He said, "We simply must be bold and we must make choices that are right for the future, not just convenient for today. We must think seven generations ahead, and start thinking and acting in the interests of our grandchildren, great grandchildren and those that will follow them. How much longer can we dither and delay?" The Prince met students and staff, and saw a showcase of work.
On day 6, the couple toured Lincoln Farmer’s Market, meeting stallholders and local residents. Prince Charles even got to sign one boy’s plaster arm cast! I love how the royals are always up for things like this, it must have made this boy’s day!
The Duchess toured the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, where she planted a tree. An English Oak was the first tree to be planted at the gardens, to commemorate the marriage of the then Prince Albert (later King Edward VII) and Princess Alexandra of Denmark, in 1863.
Meanwhile, in Kaikōura, the Prince of Wales visited Takahanga Marae. He was greeted with an official welcome ceremony, and met by Kaumātua to the Governor-General, Professor Piri Sciascia and Kuia to the Governor-General, Mrs. Ranui Ngarimu outside the Wharenui (meeting house). The Prince then met Leader youth -Te Runanga o Kaikōura Rangatahi, Ms. Miriama Allen. A group of Rangatahi (youth) then told the story of the Ngāti Kuri Iwi people. The Prince met those actively involved in post-Earthquake responses, and youth from the community.
The Prince was escorted around the town square by Mayor of Kaikōura, Craig Mackle and Deputy Mayor of Kaikōura, Julie Howden, and watched a children’s choir perform. He met members of the public on a walkabout, and also volunteers involved in responding to or raising funds in response to the earthquake. At the Memorial Hall, the Prince saw displays on the past, present, and future of the township, at the Future is Bright Exhibition. The Prince then saw the work of Hutton’s Shearwater Charitable Trust, who help conserve migratory seabirds, especially the Hutton’s Shearwater bird, that is unique to the area. The Prince got to meet one of the bird’s himself, and take a walk along the coastline.
Afterwards, the Prince departed for the Solomon Islands.
The Prince began his two-day tour of the Solomon Islands in Honiara at a Service of Thanksgiving at St. Barnabas’ Anglican Cathedral. He then attended meetings at Government House with the Governor-General, Sir David Vunagi, and Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. Later, the Prince visited the Solomon Islands Scouts and Coastwatchers’ Memorial, which honours the efforts of Solomon Islanders and Allied coastwatchers during the second world war, and laid a wreath there.
On the second day of this visit to the Solomon Islands, and the last day of the Autumn Tour, the Prince had a traditional welcome ceremony at the National Parliament. Afterwards he met John Patterson Oti, Speaker of the National Parliament. The Prince went on to address assembled MP’s saying, “It has long been my wish to visit these islands, having heard so much about them from The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh following their own visits, which they both recall so fondly. I remember my father telling me about the warmth of the welcome he was given on his first visit here in 1959.”
In the afternoon, the Prince attended a State Reception, met groups of local schoolchildren, and attended an Oceans event at the Lawson Tama Stadium. Here, after dancers had performed, the Prime Minister recommitted to the Solomon Islands’ Ocean Policy. The last major engagement was a visit to the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, which is made up of 17 Pacific Islands, and helps them sustainably manage their fishery resources. The trip ended at Honiara International Airport, where a farewell ceremony was held.
Once again, we can report another smooth tour for the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. I think none can deny that they work hard and pull their weight. They are reliable and try so hard to appeal and communicate effectively with all ages and people of all backgrounds and interests. The causes they choose to champion are ones they personally are passionate about, which is clear from their day-in, day-out support of those causes. Whatever your opinion of them, they do work hard, and are always successful on their tours.