Prince William honours first responders and Christchurch attack victims
Thursday, 25 April 2019
A month after the deadly Christchurch terror attack, Prince William has arrived in the city to meet with survivors and first responders.
'A good friend doesn't pick up the phone when people are in need,' he reportedly said at the justice and emergency services precinct on Thursday afternoon, 'you travel to their place and put your arms around them.'
The Duke of Cambridge arrived in New Zealand on Thursday for a two-day visit on behalf of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. He has visited Christchurch in the aftermath of tragedy before. During a visit in 2011 after the February earthquake, he said: 'Grief is the price we pay for love.'
On Thursday morning, the prince attended the Auckland War Memorial Museum Anzac service with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and mayor Phil Goff. He laid a wreath at the cenotaph which read: 'We will never forget the sacrifice of the Anzacs. With deep gratitude, William.'
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He then flew to Christchurch, arriving at the RNZAF Air Movements Terminal about 3.30pm. The prince and Ardern walked down the steps of the plane side-by-side to greet waiting dignitaries, including Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel and Ngāi Tahu representatives.
A trio of onlookers, who did not want to give their names, got in position on Orchard Rd before the prince arrived.
'It's Will. Who doesn't want to see Will,' one of the women said.
'It's nice to see them in person, even if it's just for a flash,' another said. Moments later, as a helicopter circled overhead, the prince was whisked past, travelling in a motorcade which included several police cars with flashing lights.
He arrived at the justice and emergency service precinct shortly afterwards where he met with Police Commissioner Mike Bush, Canterbury district commander Superintendent John Price and first responders to the March 15 terror attack on two city mosques, which left 50 people dead and dozens more injured.
Speaking after the visit, Bush said first responders who met with the prince were 'overwhelmed' he had made the effort to see them. The Duke of Cambridge urged them to look after themselves and each other, and to seek help if they needed it.
Bush said the prince told the group: 'A good friend doesn't pick up the phone when people are in need, you travel to their place and put your arms around them.'
'His visit was very much one of support to the first responders, to everyone else involved … to acknowledge their fantastic work, but also to check on how they are.'
Before he arrived at the precinct, about 20 royal fans stood waiting in the cold to get a glimpse of the prince. A man, who did not want his name published, said he had been waiting outside for about 30 minutes.
'We met his father and mother some years ago when they came to Christchurch so it's just nosey locals really. It's a nice excuse for a walk in the sun really.'
The prince left the precinct after about an hour speaking with first responders. He is expected to meet with survivors of the Christchurch shootings and the wider Muslim community on Friday.
He will also lay a wreath at the Oi Manawa Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial on Friday afternoon. The prince will then walk along the North Bank path on Cambridge Tce about 4pm. It is the only option for the general public to see him during the visit.
Ardern said Prince William was visiting on behalf of the Queen, who celebrated her 93rd birthday on Sunday.
The prince had a 'strong connection' with the people of Canterbury since his visits following the Christchurch earthquakes, she said.
In 2014, the prince visited with his wife Kate. At the time, he praised the 'resilience and adaptability' of Cantabrians and said he was looking forward to coming back to see how the city took shape.