Harry and Meghan’s forest walk brings marathon 16-day tour to close

Harry and Meghan’s forest walk brings marathon 16-day tour to close

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex finished their 16-day tour by emerging hand-in-hand from a forest of century-old redwoods and heading off in the waiting motorcade.

Harry and Meghan have carried out 76 engagements over the past fortnight in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.

Their last stop on the tour was Rotorua on New Zealand’s North Island, a town known for its geothermal activity and Maori culture.

Meghan’s Korowai was custom created for her visit by Norma Sturley, 66, an elder of the Ngati Whakaue tribe.

She learnt to weave as a child – picking up the skill from her mother and grandmother – and has had her work included in national exhibitions.

Royal tour of New Zealand – Day Four
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were given traditional Maori cloaks (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

The pair then headed into the Tamatekapua Meeting House after a traditional welcome known as the powhiri in the courtyard, where the duke was handed a carved weapon.

As the tewhatewha, a Maori weapon with a point at one end and an axe at the other, was passed over, Trevor Maxwell, of the local district council, said: “I am sure you are going to Twickenham when the All Blacks play England on November 11 – make sure you don’t take that.”

Royal tour of New Zealand – Day Four
The Duke of Sussex said the cloaks would be cherished (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

The duke spoke for around a minute in Maori – with gasps of awe and smiles when he used the word “whaiaipo”, or sweetheart.

He said: “Thank you for the beautiful cloak you have so kindly gifted to myself and the duchess.

“We appreciate the skill of the weavers who made it, and the aroha (love) that has gone into its creation.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were greeted with a haka in Ohinemutu
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were greeted with a haka in Ohinemutu (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

The couple then headed to a kiwi breeding programme where they had the chance to name two chicks, opting for tihei, meaning sneeze of life, and koha, meaning gift.

From there, the couple took part in their last walkabout of the tour in Rotorua with hundreds of people heading out to see the couple before they headed to Redwoods Tree Walk.

The Duchess of Sussex hugged a young girl during a walkabout in Rotorua
The Duchess of Sussex hugged a young girl during a walkabout in Rotorua (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

The pair did not reply, waving to well-wishers before getting in their car.

Harry and Meghan will return to Auckland this evening, before departing for London tomorrow.

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