WHAT A TREATY!

Charles & Cam illa’s historic visit

THE ROYALS EMBARK ON A CHARM OFFENSIVE IN AOTEAROA

It may well have been just what the doctor ordered. The Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, touched down in New Zealand last Sunday in what was most likely a reprieve of sorts, for Charles especially.

The royal pair left behind ongoing turmoil that has been enveloping the royal family for weeks − younger brother Prince Andrew has dominated every newspaper’s front page in the wake of his tell-all TV interview, while daughter-in-law Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has generated headlines after the release of court documents from her legal stoush against Associated Newspapers.

While the change of scenery wasn’t so welcoming to begin with, grey skies soon lifted as Charles (71) and Camilla (72) arrived in Whenuapai to start their week-long trip – their first in four years and third joint visit to our nation. And while they didn’t draw the crowds we’ve seen some of the younger members of the royal family generate in previous years, there was still no shortage of eager fans to pass on their well-wishes.

The visit also served as a chance for the pair to highlight causes close to their hearts – Camilla championing the causes of youth, women’s rights and domestic violence, while Charles largely focused on environmental issues.

But their most highly anticipated engagement was without a doubt a visit north to Waitangi – the first time a royal has visited the treaty grounds in 25 years.

After a stirring formal welcome onto the grounds the couple, who were wearing korowai, listened to a series of speeches, mostly in te reo, which were translated for them.

The pair laughed as Maori leader, broadcaster and actor Waihoroi Shortland recounted, in English, his encounters over the years with members of the royal family.