Prince Harry went on a royal walkabout in Wellington after touching down at 2.30pm yesterday afternoon. The bachelor prince was in town and all the single ladies knew it.
The bachelor prince was in town and all the single ladies knew it.
It is the prince's first visit to New Zealand and, while his brother, William, is an old hand, it was Harry's maiden powhiri and hongi at the official welcome at Government House in Wellington.
Down the road at the Pukeahu War Memorial Park the rest of the maidens were awaiting.
He encountered the first of them on a walkabout after a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. They were not hard to spot, carrying signs such as "I'll be Your Crown Jewel".
Hurricanes captain Conrad Smith presents Prince Harry with a personalised onesie for his niece, Princess Charlotte, in the Hurricanes changing rooms after the Super Rugby match. Photo / Dave Lintott
Prince Harry (centre) poses with the Hurricanes team in their changing room. Photo / Getty
The moment he arrived rather unsolemn squealing erupted.
Some fans had even strategised. University students Jean Lean, Mikyla Melville and Kirsty Harrison followed the traditional advice that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.
They crafted a sign that read: "Harry, fried rice at our palace tonight?" It caught his attention, if not his heart. He decided to give them recipe tips: "Just fried rice? Sounds a bit bland. Could you throw some chicken on top?" he said.
Afterward a delighted Lean said it had not dimmed her affection. "It's all right if he doesn't like fried rice. It was worth a shot."
Kiwi women fawn over Prince Harry outside the National War Memorial on May 9 in Wellington. Photo / Getty Images
A poster with a message of reverse psychology didn't pay off. Photo / Getty
They still prefer Harry to his big brother and are brutal in their reason why: "He went bald."
Kyla Hamilton, 41, tried the direct approach of asking for a kiss as a reward for her six-hour wait. "But he said he can't because he got in a bit of trouble for the last one."
Another woman opted for reverse psychology after Harry was bailed into that kiss in Australia. Her sign read: "Don't worry I won't kiss you." That didn't work any more than fried rice.
In the end the object of his greatest affection was a small black puppy he was reluctant to return.
Photos: Prince Harry in NZ
Image 1 of 36: Prince Harry disembarks the front stairs and is welcomed to Wellington. Photo / @GovGeneralNZ
Perhaps wisely he focused mostly on the children.
"There are advantages to being 6," Prime Minister John Key noted at one stage as the prince leaned down to address a child. Alas, some saw him simply as a courier service to take cards and a stuffed kiwi home to Princess Charlotte.
Finally Harry left to go the Hurricanes super rugby game and the women passed their verdicts, ranging from "nice and ginger" to "taller than I expected".
Earlier sports was the topic of conversation when he met schoolchildren at Government House. He feigned horror when he learned some children in the land of the All Blacks did not play rugby.
"I thought you would be forced to play rugby. That's why you have such a good rugby team isn't it?"
Prince Harry meeting children at a ceremony of welcome at Government House in Wellington yesterday. Photo / Getty
Prince Harry performing a hongi at the ceremony of Welcome at Government House yesterday in Wellington. Photo / Getty
He discussed who was going to win the Rugby World Cup and revealed that when it came to the round-ball game, football, most of the Royal Family were Arsenal fans.
He also offered up the Governor-General as a catering service, suggesting if they ever wanted biscuits or cake they should simply bowl up to Government House. "Just ring on the gate. They'll help you out."
Rewa, 12, said it was "really nice and funny" after he told them it was unfair that they had to wear their uniforms on a Saturday. She had seen Prince William as well, but diplomatically declined to say who her favourite was.
Today the prince heads to Stewart Island, where birds of another species will dominate.
Cheeky challenge faces Harry at Cloud footie
The Prince will feature in a five-a-side match at The Cloud on Saturday morning. Photo / Getty
A group of teen Auckland footballers are planning a cheeky reception for Prince Harry on Saturday.
The Prince will feature in a five-a-side match at The Cloud on Saturday morning. Harry is world famous for his love of mischief, but members of the Western Springs' 16th grade metro team are planning to turn the tables.
James Debenham, who will coach one of the two teams before 300 invited guests in the downtown Auckland venue, has revealed his side's tactics will be based almost exclusively on "nutmegging" His Royal Highness.
"One of the players' dads has said he'll be paying $50 to who can put the ball through Prince Harry's legs," Debenham told the Herald on Sunday.
"The boys won't be trying to hurt him or anything, but they'll want to show that they can play.
"I think goals could be counted by the number of time 'megs!' is called on him rather than actual times the ball goes in the net."
Prince Harry waves to the crowd at Westpac Stadium. Photo / AFP
Despite conceding 10 goals to Waitakere City last Sunday, Debenham, 21, says his players are keyed up for the encounter, although Harry may be able to exploit the youngsters' nerves.
"I've said to the boys, 'What are you going to do when you actually meet him?' And one of them actually said they were going to curtsy," Debenham said.
"So, I think we'll be discussing that as a team so that we're all doing the same thing and not making idiots of ourselves.
"I think my Mum is more excited than anyone else, but it's a once in a lifetime thing and he seems like a guy who enjoys some good banter.
"But am I nervous? Flip, yes! I was in the same sushi shop as [Kiwis league star] Shaun Johnson yesterday and I couldn't even bring myself to say hello, so I've no idea with how I'm going to be with royalty."
Western Springs AFC president Grant Russell will take charge of the side Prince Harry is expected to play for.
Russell says Saturday promises to be a memorable occasion for the club, who are currently coming up with a nickname for their royal ring-in.
"Everyone is really, really excited about it. It's going to be a lot of fun and a great life experience for these young lads," Russell said.
It's all about Charlotte in the 'Canes dressing room
Hurricanes captain Conrad Smith presenting Prince Harry with a personalized jersey. Photo / Dave Lintott
It was a case of "Hurricane Harry" last night as the royal visitor rubbed shoulders with some of New Zealand rugby's biggest stars.
Prince Harry joined thousands of fans at the Hurricanes v Sharks Super Rugby clash at Wellington's Westpac Stadium.
During the match, won 32-24 by the Hurricanes, he was seated alongside Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae, before joining the victorious side in their dressing room.
Hurricanes captain Conrad Smith gave the prince a team jersey and a Hurricanes onesie for his new niece Charlotte. "He seemed pretty chuffed with that."
The prince thought the onesie was "brilliant" and he said he'd make sure he gave it to the new princess.
Prince Harry was "very relaxed" with the team, Smith said. "He congratulated us on our win firstly and he enjoyed relaxing with the team."
Unsurprisingly the discussion in the changing room centred on rugby and the prince said how much he was looking forward to this year's Rugby World Cup tournament in the United Kingdom.
"He knows his rugby, he was talking about how [England] was in a tough pool and we [the All Blacks] were in an easy pool, but he said it was going to be awesome."
Prince Harry at Westpac Stadium. Photo / Getty
The Hurricanes weren't put off their game with royal eyes watching on, Smith said.
First-five James Marshall also said having the prince watching did not put extra pressure on the team.
"I didn't think about it once while I was out there, but it was cool that he came into the shed and I got to meet him."
The prince was "surprisingly normal" when talking to the team, he said.
He seemed to enjoy meeting the Hurricanes, Marshall said.
Hurricanes prop Ben May, who did not play last night, said he was a "great lad".
"It's a pity he couldn't stick around."
Prince Harry also spoke about the rest of the tour during his dressing room visit and how much he was looking forward to visiting Stewart Island and digging into some Bluff oysters.
• Arriving in New Zealand, greeted by Governor-General at Government House. • Visiting the National War Memorial and Anzac Square. • Attending Hurricanes vs Sharks Super 15 rugby match, Westpac Stadium.
May 10-11: Stewart Island
• Meeting locals and travelling to Ulva Island, a Department of Conservation open island sanctuary.
May 12: Christchurch
• Visiting the Quake City exhibition, mall, and meeting student volunteers from Canterbury University.
• Visiting Linton Military Camp. He is to be taught the Army's haka.
May 14: Whanganui
• Visiting Putiki Marae. He will join the crew of the marae's waka for a trip on the river. He will also visit the war memorial centre to meet local veterans.
May 15-16: Auckland
• Visiting Middlemore Hospital's Spinal Rehabilitation Unit, supported by the NZ Rugby Foundation. • Reception with emergency services at Government House. • On Saturday, attending a Fifa U20 World Cup event at the Cloud, before going to the Millennium Institute of Sport.
