Shouts of "I love you" could be heard from the crowd as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex walked around meeting their fans, leaving some overcome with the emotion of the occasion.
Victoria O'Brien was in tears after meeting the royal couple.
The young fan was among about 2000 members of the public who turned out to see the Duke and Duchess, Prince Harry and Meghan, outside the Pukeahu National War Memorial in Wellington.
O'Brien, who gave Meghan a bunch of flowers, said of her interaction: "She was like, just trying to calm me down... she just said to breathe,'' O'Brien said through tears.
"I can't believe this has happened. I can't believe that I met the royals.