Reception fit for a Prince

ON THE WAY: Prince Harry heading to the slipway with Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae, who grew up in Wanganui, and Sir Jerry's wife, Janine. PHOTOS/STUART MUNRO150615WCSMHARRY31

Princesses were out in force yesterday to nab themselves a prince during the royal visit in Wanganui.

One such princess was Alexandra Henderson-Kruger, 8, who waited at Putiki Marae for Prince Harry with a sign that said: "Kia ora Prince Harry, I'm Princess Alexandra, we must be cuzzies."

When asked why she liked Prince Harry, she said it was "because he's royal" and "he's handsome".

Alexandra was one of a crowd about 200-300 strong gathered on the marae when the royal was welcomed on with a powhiri.

Local kaumatua including John Maihi delivered speeches to the Prince, who then stood to deliver a speech of his own. It was clear he'd been practising his Maori pronunciation as he spoke in te reo Maori to marae members.

Upon switching to English, the Prince thanked them for the "warm welcome" he'd received and said it was "an honour" to be in Wanganui, "so close to the Whanganui River".

He acknowledged that Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae grew up in Wanganui, and said he looked forward to getting to know the places that were "such an important part of Sir Jerry's heritage".

Harry referred to his uncle Prince Edward who spent six months tutoring at Wanganui Collegiate in 1982: "I understand that my uncle spent a year here and was welcomed to the Putiki Marae a number of times over that period - unfortunately I'm not able to spend a whole year in Wanganui as he did.

"I understand there is a saying here: 'I am the river, the river is me.' You have offered me the extraordinary privilege today of travelling on the awa, which I am looking forward to immensely."

Prince Harry said he was looking forward to hearing more about the Whanganui River treaty and how it would help protect the river for the future.

Image 1 of 18: Prince Harry at Putiki Marae.

After he formally greeted marae members and went into the meeting house, St George's School students gushed over the Prince.

"It doesn't seem like he's too royal to go up to," head girl Cyara Torr said.

Her friend Kaia Potaka-Osborne said she liked the Prince because he was friendly:

"He's the cool prince." Meanwhile, more people gathered at the Putiki slipway to wait for the Prince to board the waka to take him along the river.

Palmerston North woman June Dempster was waiting with her grandchildren Hannah, 9, and Chenal Dempster, 5.

"We came over here when Diana came and Charles," she said. "It was Hannah's mum that shook her hand."

Kylie Brown-Parker was there with her two-year-old daughter Elizabeth Brown-Parker, named after Queen Elizabeth. The Wanganui pair were looking forward to seeing the Prince on the waka.

Marama Fox and Alaska Dobbs, who were sitting on the riverbank with a cellphone and a selfie stick, felt it was "good to be a part of this kind of stuff".

Ms Dobbs said the Prince was "down to earth".

"He's not stuck up and he actually does things he wants to do."

The women suggested he come back in November or December when the river was looking a little more blue.

Also among the crowd was Queen Elsa of Arendelle, otherwise known as Ngahuia Staples-Hanara, 4. The Wanganui East girl, dressed in an Elsa costume from the movie Frozen, waved to Prince Harry as he went down the boat ramp to the waka.

"We love you, Prince Harry!" Ngahuia called.

And with Queen Elsa farewelling him, the Prince climbed into the waka and paddled up the river, off to meet the rest of Wanganui's princesses.