500 news people to cover Royal visit

Press, 9 December 1982, Page 2

500 news people to cover Royal visit

NZPA London Next year's tour of Australia and New Zealand by the Prince, and Princess of Wales, and their baby son. Prince William, has prompted an unexpected “headache” in the accredit-

ing of up to 500 news media representatives from all parts of the world. Apart from up to 60 British news media people, the strongest interest has already been shown by the giant United States’ news organisations, as well as by the French, West Germans, and Canadians. The tour itinerary has not been finalised, according to' Buckingham Palace. The New Zealand visit will start on Sunday, April 17, and end on April 30. A big group of Australian and New Zealand reporters will join the tour. Diplomatic sources describe the news media contingent as the biggest to come to Australia since the Commonwealth heads of government meeting (C.H.0.G.M.) in Melbourne in October last year, and the recent Commonwealth Games. According to the sources each reporter, photographer, and television crew member will be vetted before a visa

is issued. The checks will be part of a tight security effort, at least as tight as that for C.H.O.G.M. The intense interest in the Royal Family — particularly Prince Charles, Princess Diana, and Prince William, aged five months — is not unusual for non-Common-wealth news organisations. The French and West Germans often give the Royal Family as much coverage in newspapers, magazines, and television as they do their own local identities. The Americans typified their love of anything’ royal when two of their national television networks made films about the Royal wedding. The tour will be the first big overseas visit by Princess Diana with her husband, and it will be Prince William’s first Royal tour. The Royal Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force are expected to be involved in the tour, flying "guard” between Britain and Australia.