Bare-breasted protest puzzles Prince Charles

A policeman covers up a topless protester who shouted 'get your colonist shame off my breasts' during Prince Charles' walk in Wellington. Picture / Reuters

Two women who bared their breasts at Prince Charles yesterday say they made their protest on behalf of slighted Aboriginal women.

The pair, named by friends as Hannah Plant and Holly Emma Goldman, also said their group was making a political protest on behalf of mothers.

At various times they condemned the monarchy and colonialism. They said they were representing the tangata whenua, honouring the Treaty of Waitangi, protesting at the cancellation of a breast-screening clinic in the city and telling Prince Charles, in the words written on Ms Plant's chest, to "Get your colony shame off my breasts".

Most of all, they were upset that the Prince had allegedly said he was offended after receiving a traditional "Tjukurrpa Palya" by six topless Aborigines in Alice Springs.

Except Charles did not say he was offended, and his press secretary, Patrick Harrison, yesterday insisted he was absolutely not bothered at all.

Indeed, photographs of the event show the Prince talking and joking with the dancers.

It was not clear whether he saw the women exposing their breasts yesterday, although Ms Goldman, clutching her screaming baby, was within 2m of him when she hauled off her top.

The two women were among up to a dozen protesters who had targeted the royal walkabout in Civic Square, central Wellington.

Ms Goldman and her 18-month-old baby were hustled away as the Prince paused near her, across a security barrier.

As she was being restrained, a topless Ms Plant began shouting her anti-royal messages from a wall about 50m away. She was swiftly bundled away by two police officers.

The women were charged with disorderly behaviour and will appear in court on Friday.

The protesters upset many of the 300 people who had turned out in the plaza to see the Prince. "I think it's disgusting," Heather Taylor said.

Charles had an otherwise low-key day in Wellington, beginning by laying a poppy on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at the National War Memorial, then launching an urban design protocol for controlling development.

Later he spent two hours at a Lower Hutt hospice, talking with patients and children of patients.

Grace Potter, 8, and her brother Hugh, 6, lost their mother two years ago. Grace said she had been excited about meeting the Prince, who had thanked her for a card she gave him.

Te Omanga volunteer gardener Len Beattie said it was nice of Prince Charles to take time to visit the hospice, when many wouldn't.

"One lad ... said as soon as [his mother] heard Prince Charles was coming, she said 'I'm going to hang on for another couple of weeks'."

Mr Beattie shared a joke with Prince Charles, who had asked a group of gardeners if they had had extra work to do to get ready for his visit. "Yes!" they chorused.

"Sorry about that," Charles replied.

The Prince had a private dinner with Prime Minister Helen Clark and about 20 guests last night, and travels to Auckland today.

Prince Charles in Auckland

Today:

11.30am Arrive at the RNZAF Base, Whenuapai. Inspection of Guard of Honour. Meet RNZAF personnel and families.

12.45pm Attend a function for the Prince's Trust in New Zealand at the Pontoon Restaurant and Function Centre, Westhaven.

3pm View Toi Maori: The Eternal Thread exhibition of traditional and contemporary Maori weaving at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

6.30pm Attend a reception hosted by Prime Minister Helen Clark and the Mayor of Auckland, Dick Hubbard, at the Aotea Centre.

8pm Attend a performance of "Niu Sila" at Maidment Theatre.

Tomorrow:

10.45am Visit Mountain View Primary School in Mangere Bridge.

12.30pm Visit and officially open the Potter Children's Garden, Botanic Gardens, Manurewa.

2pm Farewell and departure from Auckland Airport.