Prince William honours war dead

ANDREW GORRIE/The Dominion Post

DEAD HONOURED: Prince William places a rose on the Tomb of The Unknown Warrior at the National War Memorial in Wellington.

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The foggy Wellington morning gave way as soon as Prince William laid a single rose on the Grave of the Unknown Soldier.

With his flight into the capital delayed by about 20 minutes, the heir to the British throne arrived at the National War Memorial about 10.10am this morning.

Prince William's air force plane landed in Wellington about 9.40am, following fears that his flight would need to divert to the Air Force base at Ohakea, near Palmerston North.

Standing on a podium beneath the memorial steps he was saluted by the Royal Tri-Service Guard of Honour, made up of 100 Navy, Air Force and Army personnel, while a brass band played part of God Save the Queen.

In the distance echoed a 21 gun salute fired from Government House as an expectant crowd of close to 100 people watched and whispered.

Prince William walked the long rows of soldiers, chatting occasionally to one, his hands held loosely behind his back.

"He walks like his father,'' a bystander said.

Flanked by Prime Minister John Key and retired Rear Admiral David Ledson, and standing a head taller than both men, he was introduced to Government ministers before making his way up to the memorial stairs and into the hall itself.

After chatting and shaking hands with more military officials he lead the procession into the War Memorial, past armed soldiers in the alcoves, to place a large poppy wreath at the base of a statue at the end of the hall.

Written on the wreath was: "In deep respect and grateful memory of the men and women of the armed forces who have sacrificed their lives for New Zealand and for freedom.''

Standing ridged and silent, and unmoving except for the occasional eye blink, he kept a solemn look on his face through the English and Maori prayers, music and a tolling bell.

Outside bystanders clicked their cameras - one woman having climbed a tree for a better vantage point - and children waved as he emerged from the memorial with a single rose held to his chest.

After laying the rose on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and standing back with a bowed head, a shot of sunlight came through the clouds.

By the time Prince William was back in his car and away, blue skies were beginning to appear.

- © Fairfax NZ News