Warm welcome for Prince

Press, 1 April 1981, Page 3

Warm welcome for Prince

NZPA correspondent Wellington Wellington ' greeted the Prince of Wales yesterday on his fourth visit to New Zealand with a welcoming ceremony punctuated by the cheers of about 20,000 people,; and made resplendent by bright autumn' sunshine.

Describing Prince Charles as “indeed a Prince for our times,” the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) reflected the friendship of the colourful Basin Reserve when he assured the Prince that he was “a thousand times welcome” in New Zealand.

After emerging from his Royal Air Force VCIO air-

craft at Wellington Airport, looking a little tired, Prince Charles was obviously touched by the warmth around him and the enormous effort put in to the welcoming ceremony, which went off without a hitch.

The next 12 days would provide him with a splendid opportunity to meet a large number of New Zealanders, Prince Charles said. He. was looking forward to that very much. The crowd responded with glee when the Prince wasted no time exposing the humour he has become renowned for. In an obvious reference to

a spectacular Maori welcome by a 300-strong party, Prince Charles said: “I was gratified and honoured tc receive such a warm and friendly welcome from what appeared to be the front row of an All Black scrum.” The Prince drew rapturous applause and cheers from the Basin Reserve gathering which included about 12,000 schoolchildren, when he said that he only wished it had been possible to have his fiancee, Lady Diana Spencer, with him on the trip. But he said that would have to wait for another time. “I shall no doubt be able to return to Britain , and report to my bride-to-be that a

very warm welcome awaits us when we return together,” he said. Mr Muldoon and the Minister of Maori Affairs (Mr Couch) flanked the Prince as he entered the Basin Reserve for the Maori challenge and Welcome. Bands and guards of honour from the Royal \New Zealand Air Force. Army, and Navy performed with military precision and thoroughly entertained the Royal well-wishers. I Prince Charles was met at Wellington Airport by the Governor-General (Sir David Beattie), Mr Muldoon, and a big party of civil and military dignatories.

> He was whisked around - the picturesque Oriental Parade in a closed black limr ousine. The Prince was to s have driven in Sir James B Fletcher’s <>1971 Bentley S Corniche .- Convertible, but f tour officials took the advice 7 of the New Zealand police ’ and used a closed vehicle ? fqr the drive. . j Buckingham - Palace officials are apparently, enthut siastic about using the cone vertible, and it is expected j that the Prince will transfer to it sometime today when a he is due to drive through - Wellington’s northern suburbs to Porirua.