Prince Harry and Meghan Markle say goodbye to New Zealand after meeting fans and Maori warriors on final day of royal tour
MEGHAN and Harry said goodbye to New Zealand on the final day on their tour Down Under.
The royals met Maoris, held new born kiwi chicks, greeted crowds of royal fans and walked through giant redwood trees as their 16-day trip came to an end.
Meghan arrived in the morning looking stunning in a royal blue Stella McCartney dress worth £2,159 and stiletto heels.
She was given a pheasant-feather ‘cloak of protection’ to look after her during pregnancy, by Maori elders.
They told her she “represents strong values for women. She displays love and is a great leader.”
The sun was shining as the Royal pair visited the picturesque town of Rotorua.
Meghan was also given a Maori green-stone necklace made of jade, which was tied around her neck.
Both royals wore Remembrance Day poppies.
The Duke of Sussex was handed a carved Maori weapon called a tewhatewha, with a point at one end and an axe at the other.
Local councillor Trevor Maxwell quipped: “I am sure you are going to Twickenham when the All Blacks play England on November 11 – make sure you don’t take that.”
The ceremony was conducted in Maori and the only English words, “little bump”, were directed at Meghan to laughter.
Inside the Tamatekapua Meeting House the group sung folk songs about their history.
Harry told the hosts in Maori: “Thank you for the beautiful cloak you have so kindly gifted to myself and the duchess.
“We appreciate the skill of the weavers who made it, and the aroha (compassion) that has gone into its creation.
“This cloak is a taonga (possession) that will be cherished in our family.”
Later, Meghan changed into a blue Givenchy jumper and two-tone skirt with blue heels to greet thousands of fans.
She melted hearts by stopping to play with a tiny little girl.
In the afternoon they visited a Kiwi breeding programme designed to protect the national bird.
The royals met two tiny chicks called Gift and Sneeze – Koha and Tihei in the native language.
The pair then walked across an I’m A Celeb style gangway on a Redwood Forest walk.
They navigated a narrow wooden suspension bridge high up in the lush green forest.
The pair waved to fans as they stepped in to a car to conclude the mammoth tour.
They have been on a 16-day trip which has seen them travel to Australia, Fiji and Tonga, and they are now in New Zealand.
The pair have crammed in an incredible 76 engagements during their trip.
Harry and Meghan will return to Auckland this evening, before departing for London tomorrow.
Yesterday the pair were touring Auckland when a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck.
The tremor didn’t interrupt proceedings.
Earlier in the week they came face-to-face with an orc from Lord of the Rings.
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