Remembering Prince Charles and Princess Diana's 1983 royal tour of New Zealand

Publish date: Monday, 14 Apr 2025, 7:00AM

This week marks 42 years since Charles, Diana and 10-month-old William landed in New Zealand for what would be Diana’s only visit.

They arrived on April 17 and at the time, they had been married just two short years.

Diana, always more popular on the walkabouts than her husband, wooed crowds, attended cocktail parties and met with local politicians. She met so many people that by the end of the day, her hands were left red and sore after enthusiastic greetings during walkabouts.

In what became iconic images of 10-month-old William, the little prince posed with his parents and gnawed on a Buzzy Bee on the lawn of Government House in Auckland as cameras snapped away at the happy family.

*Princess Diana, Prince William and Prince Charles at Government House Auckland 23 April 1983. Photo / NZ Herald*

As the Royal trio journeyed to Masterton, Wainuiomata and Upper Hutt, a demure Diana paraded an array of incredible outfits, the most memorable being a pale blue sequin-studded evening gown with a diamond tiara for a Parliament banquet dinner.

The family also took a tour of Wanganui Collegiate, where they visited Prince Edward, who was adorned in a Māori cloak, prompting Charles to ask: "What on earth are you wearing?"

During their tour it was estimated that the Royal couple shook approximately 2,000 hands per day as they greeted adoring Kiwi crowds.

There were protests against the monarchy during their trip, and a buttock bared by Te Ringa Mangu Mihaka, but the trip was deemed a success for the Royal couple.

By April 30, the New Zealand tour was over and the couple boarded a plane destined for the Bahamas.