PM thanks Queen for quake donation

Prime Minister John Key today thanked Queen Elizabeth II for her personal donation to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

The donation was generous and gratefully received, he said.

"I am sure New Zealanders will join me in thanking Her Majesty for her kind support at such a tragic time for the city."

The Queen's grandson, Prince William, and his fiancee Catherine Middleton have given people the option to donate money to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal in lieu of wedding gifts.

The prince visited Christchurch yesterday to pay tribute to the estimated 182 people who died in the 6.3-magnitude earthquake on February 22.

"Prince William's visit earlier this week was deeply humbling and was met with so much enthusiasm and goodwill from New Zealanders," Mr Key said.

The Queen has also made a donation to help the victims of the deadly earthquake in Japan.

She had already sent a message of sympathy to Japan following the giant quake and tsunami which struck on March 11, leaving nearly 17,000 dead or missing.

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman did not disclose the amount of the donations to Japan or Christchurch.

- NZPA