Prince Harry did not know that Ginger Spice was the first of the Spice Girls to go solo, which meant the Ginger Ninjas lost a potential point. Photo via Facebook.
Prince Harry did not know that Ginger Spice was the first of the Spice Girls to go solo, which meant the Ginger Ninjas lost a potential point. Photo via Facebook.
What was the nickname of the first Spice Girl to go solo? It's a question most '90s kids will know the answer to - but not Prince Harry.
The prince took part in the Stewart Island quiz night at the South Sea Hotel last night, with his team the GingerNinjas coming in second place to The Bodyguard, a team made up of his personal security members.
Answers included singer Queen Latifah and rockers Kings of Leon.
But unfortunately for the ginger prince, not knowing that Ginger Spice was the first of the iconic girl group to go solo meant the Ginger Ninjas could not answer the round's "connection" question, which cost them another point, said Vicki Coats, that night's quiz-mistress.
From left, Mel B, Geri Halliwell (aka Ginger Spice), Emma Bunton and Mel C arrive for the press showing of Viva Forever!, a musical based on the songs of the Spice Girls. Photo / AP
In the connection round, teams try to find the common thread connecting the answers of that round.
As well as traditional question topics like geography and nature, last night's quiz had a "bodyguards" round - which perhaps explains why The Bodyguard took out first place.
More challenging questions included naming the still-edible food substance found in Tutankhamun's burial chamber (the answer was honey) and identifying the number of freshwater crab species in New Zealand (just one).
Ms Coats said from what she could remember off the top of her head, Harry's team only narrowly missed out on victory.
South Sea Hotel quiz mistress Vicki Coats in the packed hotel on Stewart Island last night where Prince Harry spent 2 hours with the locals. Photo / Stephen Jaquiery
"They were only about half a point behind, I think they got 29 and a half."
She said she thought winning team The Bodyguard had scored at least 30 points.
Quiz-goer Margaret Hopkins said it looked as if Harry was enjoying himself.
"He seemed to enjoy all the antics."
The Stewart Island quiz is notorious for bad language and good natured rowdiness.
People who break the rules risk having their mouths taped over by Ms Coats, who is "probably the strictest quiz mistress in the world" according to the quiz's website.
"Two of his bodyguards got taped at various stages, I think one of their cellphones went off, you're supposed to have them turned off for the quiz," Mrs Hopkins said.
"I think [Ms Coats] taped him just for a laugh, even though he was an official."
Tomorrow, Prince Harry will spend his fourth day in New Zealand learning about the effects the Christchurch earthquakes have had on the city.
The prince is scheduled to arrive at Quake City, an interactive exhibition that informs visitors about the 2011 quakes and their aftermath, just after 11.30 tomorrow morning.
Sarah Murray, a curator at Canterbury Museum which runs runs Quake City, said Prince Harry would speak with people who had been affected by the earthquakes, as well as key figures in the city's recovery.
Ms Murray said people were excited, if a little nervous, to meet the royal.
"From all reports he seems quite likeable and quite a good talker, someone you can easily chat to."
She said the visit was significant for the organisers behind the exhibition.
"For us one of the great things about this is that he asked to come to quake city."
