Prince William adds school to Christchurch visit

Otago's loss will be Canterbury's gain today when Prince William will make a last-minute visit to Christchurch Boys' High School after fog thwarted his plans to visit Arrowtown School yesterday.

The Department of Internal Affairs -- which is organising the 11-day royal visit and the prince's first solo engagement on the Queen's behalf -- was forced to make contingency plans after poor visibility kept his commercial flight from landing at Invercargill Airport yesterday morning despite two attempts.

Fog forced Prince William's flight to be diverted to Christchurch where he spent the night, a department spokesman said.

Reports that the 23-year-old, who is second-in-line to the British throne, was hosted on a Canterbury farm overnight were incorrect.

"We don't discuss his accommodation arrangements," the spokesman said.

The Prince was to visit Christchurch Boys' High School about 9.15am and would spend about 45 minutes watching an art class and seeing the gymnasium.

"Because he didn't have a school visit yesterday, he will have a school visit today."

The college was only told about the visit yesterday afternoon when it became apparent the prince was not going to make it to Arrowtown, the spokesman said.

There were disappointed children at Arrowtown School yesterday when principal John Lightfoot broke the news shortly after noon that Prince William was not going visit.

- NZPA WGT