Kate Middleton News Update: The royal couple started their three-week tour of New Zealand and Australia. A very festive and traditional welcome has been prepared by some of the locals in Wellington.
After disembarking from the Royal New Zealand Air Force Plane in Wellington on Monday, April 7, the couple headed to their first official engagement at Government House in Wellington, New Zealand. The royal couple was greeted by Maori elders Lewis Moeau and Hiria Hape who gave them a traditional 'hongi' welcome by rubbing noses. They were received by the Kaumatua, or elder, for the Governor General's Office, who explained to them the significance of the Powhiri, or Maori welcome.
William and Kate were later treated to a performance of Maori war dance the haka by some students. A group of around 35 semi-naked Maoris performed the 'powhiri', their official welcome that will determine whether the visitors were friends or foe.
The Duchess, wearing a red Catherine Walker coat and Gina Foster hat, looked a bit startled as three male warriors picked up spears and advanced towards the couple uttering war cries.
According to Yahoo, the Duke, was given a Maori challenge called a wero, 'which involved the New Zealand Defence Force Maori Cultural Group advancing toward him with spears while performing various battle cries and gestures. At the end of the challenge, Prince William accepted the rakau tapu (spear) as a symbol of friendship.'
Middleton was later heard telling one of the warrior that she thought the greeting was "super."
Mirror reported, 'They said they were really excited to be in New Zealand and they were sorry they couldn't bring baby George outside but it was too rainy.'
'After their official welcome the couple and their son were whisked off to a private residence with nanny Maria Borrallo where they will spend the next two days recovering from jet lag and settling Prince George into his routine.
They will begin official engagements on Wednesday when George will meet other babies in the grounds of Government House,' as stated from live updates from Mirror.
