Hobbit sneak-peek for Prince Charles

TOM HUNT
REPORTER

Last updated 09:50 23/10/2012

Tolkien-fan the Prince of Wales will get a sneak-peek into the world of The Hobbit, with a particular focus on feet.

The Prince and Duchess of Cornwall will visit New Zealand from November 10-16, following visits to Papua New Guinea and Australia.

Their schedule will include a tour of Weta Workshop on November 14 which the Telegraph reports is likely to be the Prince's ''personal highlight'' of the tour.

"The Prince is a great fan of children's literature and Tolkien is one of the great icons of children's literature," a royal source told The Telegraph.

"He and the Duchess have seen Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films and the Prince has said he is very much looking forward to seeing Bilbo Baggins's foot."

It was reported the Prince would be shown prosthetics and make-up from the films but, as the studio was in post-production mode ahead of the November 28 premiere of The Hobbit in Wellington, he would not meet the actors.

He will also be given a sneak preview of footage from the film.

The Prince and Duchess will also attend an official opening of the Government House visitor centre, meet a waka crew, meet Prime Minister John Key and Labour leader David Shearer, attend a reception at Government House to celebrate women in the community, and celebrate the Prince's birthday at Government House.

- © Fairfax NZ News