Off the wire
• Hong Kong stocks close 2.15 pct up  • IOC-led seminar aims to get Beijing 2022 quick out of the blocks  • 1st LD: China's legislature ratifies AIIB agreement  • Xi's envoy to attend Tanzanian president's inauguration  • 2nd LD-Writethru: China unveils guideline on reforming state-owned asset management  • Urgent: Maldives declares state of emergency: presidential spokesman  • Hyundai Motor launches independent "Genesis" luxury car brand  • U.S. welcomes steps by both sides of Taiwan Strait to improve ties  • China Focus: China, South Korea forge ever closer people-to-people ties  • Spotlight: Heat detected around Russian passenger plane before crash  
You are here: 　 Home

Royal visit begins as New Zealand celebrates Rugby World Cup win

Xinhua, November 4, 2015 Adjust font size:

The heir to the British throne and New Zealand's next head of state touched down in Wellington to begin a week-long tour of the country Wednesday.

However, the Prince of Wales and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall were greeted by cold, wet weather in the capital in an arrival overshadowed by the return of the country's victorious All Blacks from the Rugby World Cup.

The couple, who visited New Zealand two years ago, were met by Prime Minister John Key as well as Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown, Radio New Zealand reported.

They then headed to Government House for an official welcome from Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae.

In the first public event of the royal tour, Prince Charles and the duchess attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the Pukeahau National Memorial Park in front of a crowd of about 100 people.

The turnout was in stark contrast to the thousands who thronged to central Auckland Wednesday for a parade and official welcoming ceremony for the All Blacks, who defeated Australia Saturday and became the first team to ever win back-to-back Rugby World Cup championships.

The royal couple leave New Zealand on Tuesday for Australia. Endit