LATEST: The weather will play its part for the royal visit to Manawatu, with high cloud and sunshine the order of the day.

There will be little risk of sunburn and hats may need a helping hand to stay put.

As part of the celebration of the the Queen's 60 years on the throne, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will be visiting Feilding today.

MetService weather forecaster Philipa Murdoch said it was expected to be a cloudy day with scattered showers around the higher ground.

"You may not see them in town but in the hills they are likely," she said.

After touring Feilding and its farmers' market, Prince Charles will be heading to a Manawatu farm while Camilla will travel to Massey to visit the equine centre and Wildbase.

As well as a possible appearance of rain, there will be some north-westerly winds which will die out during the day.

"The winds won't be strong, but they will be there."

But it will be mild, with temperatures around 18 degrees Celsius.

Thousands of people are expected to line the streets of Feilding and around the central business district when the royal couple arrive just after midday.

- © Fairfax NZ News