Prince William tipped to visit NZ next year

Reuters

TRIP TO NZ: Prince William is expected to visit New Zealand next year, British media reports.

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Prince William could visit New Zealand in January, British media are reporting.

It would be his first official overseas trip to New Zealand on behalf of his grandmother, the Queen.

The Prince is due to visit Australia in the New Year, and Clarence House aides also want him to go to New Zealand as part of the trip, The Mail on Sunday said.

It would be part of his first official overseas trip in place of the Queen, 83, who is reported to be passing more royal duties on to family members.

The Mail on Sunday quoted a source at the prince's Clarence House office saying: "William sees it as an honour to be asked to carry out an official duty on behalf of the Queen. He sees himself as stepping up to his role as shadow king. He has put off official visits for long enough and is ready to embrace his duty."

Prince William last visited New Zealand in 2005, when the British and Irish Lions rugby team toured the country.

While here, he laid a wreath at a ceremony to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, trained with the Lions rugby team and visited patients in Auckland's Starship children's hospital.

A spokesman for the prime minister said no comment would be made on a visit until an official announcement was made.

A spokesman for Clarence House declined to comment.

- © Fairfax NZ News