William's canny speech snatches back spotlight from charming wife and son.
At first it seemed that the tall man mooching along beside the Duchess of Cambridge on the royal tour had plummeted from the apple of New Zealand's eye to chopped liver, outshone by his son and wife.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were guests of Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae and his wife Lady Janine at the reception for 200, Prince William got a laugh or two with his speech and gave a few insights into his young son's sleeping ...
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Nicola Willis condemns use of ‘C’ word in Parliament
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NOW PLAYING • Raw: Royal speech at State dinner
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were guests of Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae and his wife Lady Janine at the reception for 200, Prince William got a laugh or two with his speech and gave a few insights into his young son's sleeping ...
At the state reception last night, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William entered to greet their guests, an assembly of local dignitaries and politicians.
Immediately, Twitter was full of the Jenny Packham bespoke frock, the beaded silver ferns on the shoulder as a nod to New Zealand, and the mile-high stilettos.
William was an afterthought, noticed only when he blocked the view of the Duchess. But when the Prince rose to speak, he showed that he knew exactly how to win New Zealanders back. He also showed that he shared a bit of the same sense of humour and that he has well and truly grown into his role.
He began with a Maori greeting, earning him an appreciative "kia ora" and laughs from the audience when he added "no insults yet".
Then he thanked his hosts, Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae and Lady Janine. "I hope that George doesn't keep you up. He has been heard to be particularly vocal at 3am and I swear I heard him doing the haka this morning.
The royal couple arrived at Seymour Square, Blenheim and met 10 veterans and paid their respects to the fallen World War one soldiers.
Children hoping to see the glamorous pair sat on top of their parents' shoulders, while other people ...
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Nicola Willis condemns use of ‘C’ word in Parliament
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NOW PLAYING • Raw: Royals greet Blenheim crowds
The royal couple arrived at Seymour Square, Blenheim and met 10 veterans and paid their respects to the fallen World War one soldiers.
Children hoping to see the glamorous pair sat on top of their parents' shoulders, while other people ...
"In subsequent visits, my affection and admiration for New Zealand has only deepened. On this visit, I have no doubt it will be Catherine and not just me who falls for New Zealand."
He went on to talk about the resilience he had seen in the people in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake, when he had visited to voice support.
He spoke about New Zealanders' warm-heartedness, generosity, progressiveness and modesty.
He added that the scenery wasn't bad "and some first class wine as well". He was polite enough not to mention the weather in his formal speech - it has rained every day since he arrived. But he did comment on that while meeting Prime Minister John Key earlier in the evening, saying drily, "I can't believe my luck with the weather in Wellington".
However, his main concern appeared to be that his yachting race against Catherine on Team NZ boats today would be cancelled after he'd boasted widely to his friends that he would win. "A bit of healthy competition," he joked.
Today he may well go back to chopped liver. There is another walkabout. During the walkabout in Blenheim only Clarence House and the Governor General bothered to tweet photos of the Duke.
There were photos of Kate making a veteran laugh, getting a beanie bear and flowers, watching a girl in a tutu twirl, even a close-up of Kate's ponytail to allow her fans to emulate it.
It prompted one British reporter to observe it was like Di-mania all over again. The day before that, it was all about Prince George.
Even bending over a baby and growling at it like a bear was not enough to get William mentioned.
On his previous visits here, it was all about playing "Where's Willy". But if William has been upstaged by his wife and son, just as his father was after Diana and baby William came along, he probably quite likes it that way.
