Prince William paid his way to NZ - monarchist

Prince William's visit to New Zealand has already paid for itself in tourism advertising dollars, a leading New Zealand monarchist says.

The prince is expected to be followed by about 50 overseas media on his three-day visit starting on Sunday, as speculation intensifies about a proposal to his long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton.

Professor Noel Cox, who chairs Monarchy New Zealand, said worldwide coverage of the prince's visit was extensive and valuable to New Zealand.

"Coverage of his trip is being widely reported already in the UK and Australian press," Prof Cox said.

"Every time Prince William's trip to Aotearoa is mentioned, it is a bold advertisement for New Zealand. References to the prince's impending trip have been made in every major newspaper in both countries.

"If we were going to pay for this kind of advertisement, it would cost a fortune."

Prof Cox, a professor of law at the AUT University, said a full page ad in the British newspaper, The Times, cost $NZ56,000.

"Kiwis are already getting a great return on their investment," he said.

By raising New Zealand's profile through his visit, Prince William was giving a huge boost to the tourism industry.

"He will highlight New Zealand as the host for the 2012 Rugby World Cup, which is particularly timely, and very valuable.

"If Prince William has raised interest in New Zealand even slightly, the financial income will be very impressive. New Zealand spent $75 million on tourism promotion last year, earning 200 times that in return, about $15 billion.

"A similar return would see the press coverage of the prince's trip, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, potentially return millions in increased tourism revenue."

Prince William, 27, first visited our shores in 1983 as a baby with his parents Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana and returned in 2005 to follow the British and Irish Lions rugby tour.

In Auckland on Sunday he will visit Eden Park to view developments for the Rugby World Cup and go sailing aboard America's Cup yacht NZL40.

In Wellington on Monday he will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial, open the new Supreme Court building and have a barbecue with Prime Minister John Key at Premier House.

Before flying off to Sydney on Tuesday, he will visit Wellington Children's Hospital.

- NZPA