Prince William to be at quake service

HRH Prince William on his visit to New Zealand last year. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Prince William is set to make a special visit to New Zealand to commemorate those killed in the Christchurch earthquake and the Pike River Mine disaster.

St James's Palace this morning announced the prince will attend the National Memorial Service for earthquake victims at North Hagley Park on March 18.

He will also travel to Greymouth to speak to the families of those killed in the Pike River Mine disaster.

A spokeswoman for Mr Key said Prince William's fiancee Kate Middleton would not be joining him on the visit.

Prime Minister John Key welcomed the announcement and said the brief visit would bring comfort to many who were going through difficult and dark times.

"This is a heart-warming gesture that will mean a lot to the thousands of people whose lives have been forever changed by these events.

"I would like to personally thank The Queen for thinking of New Zealand in its darkest hours and very much look forward to seeing Prince William again, even though it is in very sad circumstances."

Prince William will be in New Zealand on March 17 and 18 before flying to Australia on March 19, where he will visit areas affected by Queensland's cyclone and flooding.

The National Memorial Service is being organised by the Christchurch City Council and the Visits and Ceremonial Office in consultation with the families of earthquake victims.

It will begin at 12.45pm and two minutes' silence will be observed at 12.51pm.

Prince William last visited New Zealand for three days in January last year, when he opened the new Supreme Court building in Wellington.

The full itinerary for his upcoming visit will be released closer to the time.

Mr Key's spokeswoman said the PM still planned to attend the royal wedding at Westminster Abbey on April 29, at which 1900 guests are expected.

- NZHERALD STAFF, NZPA