Prince William seemed at ease through much of his agenda during a recent visit to open the Supreme Court in Wellington.
He sailed with the America's Cup team, kicked the rugby ball around with some All Blacks and school boys, saw plans for the new stadium extension, had dinner out of a hole in the ground and wore a Maori designer shirt.
He went on to help cook for the Prime Minister and made appreciative comments that took the wind out of the sails of those pushing for New Zealand to be a republic and no longer under the British banner.
He possibly appreciated the fact that his first state visit was less formal than if his grandmother's staff was in charge. The Governor General told him the dinner at Government House would be informal, no stiff shirtedness and even provided a shirt for the prince. Can't go wrong in wearing the gifts you're given.Dinner with the Prime Minister was informal too, a Kiwi BBQ at which he helped cook.
Oh ya, he made a speech too, but that was just the excuse for coming.
All in all, the young helicopter pilot strengthened the bonds between Britain and New Zealand by just being himself and mixing with those with whom he came in to contact.
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