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A catchy haka, enthusiastic crowd gifts and a fire alarm welcomed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to New Zealand for the final leg of their regional tour.
Leaving behind the warmth of Australia and the Pacific for colder climates, Prince Harry and Meghan were greeted by Premier Jacinda Ardern and an enthusiastic crowd as they landed in Wellington on Sunday.
Adorned with a Karen Walker plaid coat and a simple and black ASOS Maternity dress, the Duchess has opted for a stylish hairstyle in a practical as well as stylish bun, with the infamous wind of the capital.
There was great applause when Meghan started a speech in the evening – at a reception celebrating the 125th anniversary of women's suffrage in New Zealand – with the words "tena koutou katoa" ("greetings to all "in Maori).
"Suffrage does not only concern the right to vote, but also what it represents: the fundamental and fundamental human right to be able to participate in the choices that you offer for the future", she told guests at Government House.
This followed a small breakdown in the evening procedures, after a false fire alarm – which would have been triggered by a boiler – temporarily left participants outside holding their glass, while the royal couple had to sit down with the Leader of the Opposition and the Prime Minister.
The official home of their couple in the country started earlier in the day with a silent hongi – a greeting involving a touch of the nose to share a breath – with Maori elders.
A burgeoning haka performed by Kiwi military personnel followed, as part of a powhiri – or traditional ceremony.
While Harry had already visited the Shaky Islands in 2015, the Duchess may have seen more countries after a camper trip across the country in 2014.
The glitz of 21-gun bursts and military fanfares on Government House's green lawn will be set apart on Sunday, aside from fly fishing and whale watching on Meghan's latest tour.
Although the tour lasts almost two weeks, the enthusiasm of Kiwi fans has not faded, the roars erupted when the royal family arrived at its first public event in the country.
A crowd of about 2000 people, up to eight people, crowded around the Pukeahu Memorial Park Square, where the royal couple laid a wreath on the unknown warrior's grave and where the Duke awarded a gold badge to the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association for his work with veterans.
And Meghan also received a badge: a red rose brooch signed Alexandra MacKay, aged 10, who was waiting in the crowd – the Duchess immediately pinned her on her coat.
"It was really amazing, it was really good to see her put on," said Alexandra.
Harry and Meghan will spend three more days in New Zealand before finishing their 16-day tour of Australia, Tonga and Fiji, as well as New Zealand on Wednesday.
