Prince William is off parenting duty and making the royal rounds solo for a poignant reason.
The 36-year-old Duke of Cambridge arrived in New Zealand today to honor armed service men and women, as well as those who lost their lives in the devastating mosque attacks on March 15.
Prince William kicked off his two-day visit on behalf of Queen Elizabeth in Auckland. There, he met with prime minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern and, in honor of Anzac Day, paid tribute to the men and women who’ve served in the Australian and New Zealand armed forces. Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the landing of troops at Gallipoli during World War I and has been a meaningful day in the royal family’s calendar since 1916.
The duke and Ardern greeted each other with a “hongi”, a traditional Maori greeting in which two people press their noses and foreheads together. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry utilized the same greeting while visiting New Zealand late last year.
