Prince Charles and Camilla's royal tour: Big crowds welcome Royal pair at Auckland's waterfront

Prince Charles and Camilla have arrived at Auckland's Viaduct Harbour to a great fuss.

Many yachties and boaties have perched themselves along the water, with hundreds of fans waiting along the waterside in anticipation of catching a glimpse of - or even meeting - the Royal pair.

One woman shook the prince's had and asked for a signature from the royal, however he politely declined.

As the royal pair made their way across the waterfront, two yachties blasted out the British national anthem to the applause of the crowd - Prince Charles also breaking a smile.

Prince Charles and Camilla at Viaduct Harbour. Photo / Luke Kirkness

They're moving along the waterfront quickly, stopping briefly to talk with a handful of people, reaching at their arms for a handshake.

"Thanks for coming," a British man could be heard shouting.

Many people have smiles on their faces, and there is an excited buzz around the Viaduct.

Prince Charles and Camilla also stopped for a quick photo with the Team NZ crew and the America's Cup.

Prince Charles and Camilla with the Emirates Team New Zealand America's Cup team. Photo / Luke Kirkness

Applause and cheers are ringing out occasionally through the crowd as people try to get a view of the special visitors.

And cellphones can be seen aplenty, with seemingly everyone here wanting a snap of the Prince and his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

Conversations are short because the pair are running on a right schedule.

A quick shake of the hands, a "how are you doing?" and a "nice to meet you" and the royals are onto the next person.

"I hope you have some fun and drink some wine," one man said to Camilla with a grin.

She replied and the man laughed, "oh, you've had some already?!"

Prince Charles greets well-wishers at Auckland's Viaduct. Photo / Luke Kirkness

As the royals got back into their BMWs, some in the crowd thanked them for coming and wished them well with the rest of the journey.

And while the applause for the pair was great, a man who ran along the waterfront and threw his arms into the air like he was winning the Olympic 100m sprint received the greatest cheer of the day.

Earlier, Prince Charles and Camilla enjoyed an official welcome to New Zealand at Government House in Epsom.

Prince Charles officially welcomed to NZ

Posted by nzherald.co.nz on Monday, 18 November 2019

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy are on the grounds, along with members of the New Zealand Armed Forces standing at attention.

Charles, Prince of Wales, and Camilla, Duchess of Wales, received a traditional Māori welcome provided by members of the armed forces with Kaumātua and Kuia.

The welcome consisted of the wero, or challenge, where the warrior placed a dart on the ground for His Royal Highness to pick up.

A Karanga, a call of welcome, and the haka followed with the prince taking the Royal Salute.

Prince Charles at Government House in Auckland. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Prince Charles then inspected members of the armed forces lined up in the grounds of Government House.

Along the walk of about 40 people, the prince stopped occasionally to speak briefly with a handful of armed forces personnel.

Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy stood behind Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, near a plinth in front of the armed forces personnel.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and partner Clarke Gayford were also on the grounds.

Prince Charles and Jacinda Ardern meet at Government House.

Apart from the hustle and bustle of vehicles driving below Government House, only the singing of birds and slight chatter among the press contingent could be heard.

Security staff could also be seen littered throughout the grounds but, all in all, the day was peaceful and sunny in Epsom this morning.

Charles, Prince of Wales, shared a jovial moment with opposition leader Simon Bridges in front of media before a private meeting.

The pair shook hands before quietly exchanging a few words between themselves about the media - of which there were half a dozen people armed with cameras and microphones.

Prince Charles and Camilla were welcomed by politicians including Simon Bridges.

Prince Charles joked quietly with Bridges about the media interest, with snaps coming thick and fast - with cameras flashing like a strobe light in a nightclub.

"Well, you must be used to it," Bridges said.

"I'm sure you are," the prince replied.

"Not this many," Bridges added.

And as fast as the pair entered the room and shook hands, media were ushered out of the room.

When Bridges left Government House he spoke briefly with media about his conversation with Prince Charles.

The leader of the opposition said the pair had a good conversation and he was surprised with his Royal Highness' knowledge of New Zealand matters.

They discussed briefly the future of the Commonwealth, trade and Bridges gave the prince a pot of honey from Mount Maunganui Golf Course.

Following his meeting with New Zealand politicians, Prince Charles meet volunteers working to clear plastic from coastal waters around New Zealand.

The non-profit organisation, Sea Cleaners, has removed more than 8.8 million litres of waste from our waterways since 2002.

Prince Charles boarded a vessel and joined the crew on a short "plastic patrol" around the Waitematā Harbour.

After their separate engagements, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, will take part in a public walk around the Auckland waterfront - which will begin shortly.

They will also meet the Emirates Team New Zealand crew as they prepare for the America's Cup yacht regatta being held in Auckland in 2021.

Prince Charles and Camilla will walk across Wynyard Crossing, where the public have gathered.