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Prince William has arrived for a solo trip to New Zealand

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

From Cosmopolitan

Prince William has arrived in New Zealand for a two-day tour to mark Anzac Day.

The Duke of Cambridge received a traditional Maori greeting from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as he was welcomed in Auckland, before going on to meet survivors of Christchurch's mosque attacks and their families.

He also met police officers who worked through the attacks, where he told them: "Nothing really trains you for seeing it in real life."

William, who spent time as a pilot with the air ambulance service in East Anglia, added: "I'm sure the team pulls together."

Photo credit: Pool - Getty Images
Photo credit: Pool - Getty Images

Kensington Palace said Prince William would "pay tribute to the extraordinary compassion and solidarity" displayed by New Zealanders following the attacks. During his two-day visit, he will also visit Christchurch hospital to meet survivors.

“I’m really pleased that he can make a short visit to support those affected by the attack and pay tribute to the extraordinary compassion and solidarity that New Zealanders have displayed in recent weeks,” Jacinda Ardern said.

Kate Middleton hasn't accompanied her husband on the trip, instead she will attend an Anzac Day service in London later today.

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

It's not known whether Prince Harry will be at the service, as he and wife Meghan Markle are expecting their first child any day now.

The Duchess of Sussex is currently on maternity leave, although she briefly stepped back into the public eye last month to pay tribute to the lives lost in the Christchurch terror attacks.

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

Unlike with the births of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's children, we won't know anything about when Meghan goes into labour. In a statement, it was revealed that "Their Royal Highnesses have taken a personal decision to keep the plans around the arrival of their baby private.

"The Duke and Duchess look forward to sharing the exciting news with everyone once they have had an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family."

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