Māori Queen Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po leads a new era. Video / Kingitanga
The Māori Queen, Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po, has met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace.
It is the first time the pair have met since Te Arikinui became the Māori Queen in 2024.
A post on the official X account of the Kiingitanga said,“Te Arikinui is focused on strong relationships between peoples as Aotearoa New Zealand approaches the 200-year anniversary of the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in 2040″.
Photos showing the monarchs shaking hands and smiling at each other.
Te Arikinui is in London this week to mark the 50th anniversary of The King's Trust. Photo / @RoyalFamily
The King received Te Arikinui before the pair attended a garden party in the grounds of the palace, which was held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust.
The trust was founded by His Majesty in 1976, using his Royal Navy severance pay, with the aim of helping people develop essential life skills, prepare for and access job opportunities.
Te Arikinui attended the garden party with a delegation of eight people.
While in London, Te Arikinui also attended a celebration of rangatahi (young people) who had improved their lives with support from The King’s Trust Aotearoa New Zealand.
Prince William with Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po at Windsor Castle. Photo / Supplied
William’s official X account also posted a photo of the visit, saying it was “a pleasure”.
The Kiingitanga said the two had “a meaningful kōrero” and have " a shared passion for environmental solutions that bring together indigenous knowledge and Western science".
The pair discussed “a range of global topics”, the Māori Queen’s spokesperson said.
“Te Arikinui affirmed her belief in the power of indigenous knowledge and intergenerational stewardship to help solve the world’s environmental and social challenges.”
Te Arikinui’s royal engagements followed in the footsteps of her tūpuna (ancestors), continuing eight generations of engagement with the British royal household, her spokesperson said.
