NewIdea
  • Royals
  • Celebrity
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Food
  • Win
  • Recipes
  • Video
NewIdea
  • Royals
  • Celebrity
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Food
  • Win
  • Recipes
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. News

NZ PM gushes over Duchess Meghan

Jacinda Ardern said her country has a ‘real affinity’ with the Queen and the royal family. - by Press Association
  • 31 Oct 2018

New Zealand has “a real affinity” with the royal family, the country’s prime minister said as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s visit drew to a close.

Wednesday is the final day of Harry and Meghan’s tour, which has seen them also visit Australia, Fiji and Tonga.

The mother and father-to-be will head home after visiting Rotorua, having spent four days in the Land of the Long White Cloud.

meghan
Getty

Speaking before a reception at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, Jacinda Ardern said: “There’s a real connection between particularly William and Harry in recent years so it’s nice to have been able to host them in such close proximity.”

New Zealand, like Australia, is a constitutional monarchy and as such the Queen is their head of state, represented by a Governor-General.

When asked if the question of whether the Duke and Duchess’s visit has changed views on New Zealand becoming a republic, Ms Ardern said: “It just really doesn’t come up as much.

“The only time it really comes up is, often off the back of visits, people tend to ask the question.

“What you’ll pick up from the New Zealand public is that there is a real affinity for the Queen and a real strength of feeling around members of the royal family, particularly given, in the wake of some of our disasters, that they’ve been quick to respond and be present.”

Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP/PA
Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP/PA

Ms Ardern said had not shared any baby tips with Harry and Meghan – the PM gave birth to baby Neve in June – but that she admired the duchess for her work while pregnant.

She said: “It’s just increased my respect for the role that she’s playing at such an often tiring time.

“I have real empathy and I think she’s incredible.”

  • Royals
  • News
  • Meghan Markle
Press Association
PA is the UK’s leading provider of multimedia content and services. Established as the Press Association in 1868, PA remains the national news agency for the UK and Ireland, serving a broad range of customers including major media and digital brands around the world, businesses and public sector organisations.

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Subscribe to New Idea today

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to New Idea & save!

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Subscribe to New Idea today

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to New Idea & save!

Recommended to you

Home and Away opening title
Watch 1:09

Home and Away opening title

{headline}

{headline}

Meghan spots an old friend in the crowd of thousands

Touching moment Prince Harry comforts a boy whose mother killed herself

Harry and Meghan's Australian royal tour 2018: Itinerary

The cost of Meghan Markle's Australian Tour wardrobe will shock you

{headline}

{headline}

Prince Harry offers young New Zealander a job

When Harry met Harry! Duke of Sussex meets ginger-haired fan named Harry

Meghan cooks up a storm after THAT banana bread success

{headline}

{headline}

Err... Did Prince Harry just give away baby name?

The royal baby has received its first present

Inside the very lavish lifestyle of Princess Charlotte

Meghan's fairytale nursery

Watch Meghan and Harry sweetly argue over who should sit down first

The simple parenting trick that Meghan and Harry have already nailed

The touching moment two-year-old gets big hug from Meghan

NewIdea
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Competitions
NewIdea Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Competitions

Brands

  • Girlfriend
  • New Idea food
  • Practical Parenting
  • That’s Life
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from New Idea

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to New Idea & save!