Prince Charles took time out during a tour of a farmers’ market in New Zealand today to sign the plaster cast of a boy who had injured his forearm.
The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall were visiting Lincoln Farmers and Crafts Market, in Christchurch, as part of their official eight-day tour of the country.
Charles, 71, signed his name on the youngster’s red bandage, which he underlined – while Camilla’s moniker was also visible, above which was a sketch of the Union Flag.
Prince Charles took time out during a tour of a farmers’ market in Christchurch, New Zealand, today to sign the plaster cast of a boy who had injured his forearm
The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall were visiting Lincoln Farmers and Crafts Market as part of their official eight-day tour of the country
Charles signed his name on the youngster’s bandage, and Camilla’s name was also visible – above which was a sketch of the Union Flag
The royal couple seemed impressed with the vegetables on display. The market’s aim is to encourage the local population to think about buying produce that is locally sourced
Camilla wore a duck egg blue dress for the occasion – and made a new four-legged friend during her walkabout
The royal pair also met Bing Dawe, a prominent local artist who created a bird sculpture on location, entitled ‘Piwakawaka-Fantail’, as well as owners of the local Tai Tapu Sculpture Garden.
Charles and Camilla, 72, went on to meet a number of community groups, including Lincoln Boys and Girl Scouts and Lincoln Primary School.
The farmers’ market is a friendly community market that prides itself on supporting local people producing quality produce and handmade crafts, and is run on a voluntary basis.
The Duchess also visited the Battered Women’s Trust today, and met with staff and survivors to learn about their work.
The Trust is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting families to live violence-free – and the charity was one of the founding members of the Women’s Refuge partnership in New Zealand.
The staff work closely with local services to provide a quick response for victims of domestic violence in the Canterbury area.
Charles and Camilla, 72, went on to meet a number of community groups, including Lincoln Boys and Girl Scouts (pictured) and Lincoln Primary School
The Duke and Duchess also marvelled at the varieties of cheese on offer, as they chatted to another stallholder
The Duchess also visited the Battered Women’s Trust today, and met with staff and survivors to learn about their work
Camilla pictured today at the Trust – a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting families to live violence-free
According to its chief executive, an unexpected outcome of the 2011 earthquake was an upsurge in child-on-parent violence, particularly from young teenage boys, as social networks broke down with the disruption to schooling and local activities.
In addition, Camilla toured the Botanic Gardens on Friday, accompanied by its director, Wolfgang Bopp.
The Duchess strolled in the rose garden and Native Area, where she planted a tree before viewing the largest tree in the collection, a giant sequoia.
The Christchurch Botanic Gardens were founded in 1863 and cover 21 hectares adjacent to the Avon River.
Over several decades, the garden has evolved into a fine collection of hundreds of New Zealand species including the iconic silver fern.
On Friday, Camilla also toured the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, accompanied by its director, Wolfgang Bopp
The Duchess strolled in the rose garden and Native Area, where she planted a tree before viewing the largest tree in the collection, a giant sequoia
The Christchurch Botanic Gardens were founded in 1863 and cover 21 hectares adjacent to the Avon River
Te Mara Huaota o Waipapa is the Maori name, gifted by Ngai Tahu, for the gardens. It translates as the Botanical Gardens of Waipapa (the name of the area along the Avon/Ōtakaro River where the gardens are located).
The first tree, an English oak, was planted in 1863 to commemorate the marriage of Prince Albert and Princess Alexandra of Denmark.
The tour marks the Duke and Duchess’s their third joint visit to New Zealand and their first in four years.
The market visit comes after the couple made an emotional trip to the damaged Christchurch Cathedral.
Camilla tends to a young tree at the gardens. Over several decades, the garden has evolved into a fine collection of hundreds of New Zealand species including the iconic silver fern
They were seen consoling the family of a ‘dedicated’ 24-year-old man who died in the Christchurch mass shootings.
Tariq Omar, a keen footballer, was one of 51 people killed in the deadliest mass shooting in New Zealand’s history when a gunman opened fire at the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre.
A further 49 were injured in the attacks on March 15.
Charles and Camilla were greeted by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern before holding a private meeting with members of the Omar family during a visit to Cashmere High School.
