Excited crowds gather in Christchurch to welcome Princess Anne

Young, old, tourists and locals – some with their dogs – gathered to welcome Princess Anne as she began her visit to Christchurch.

Looking every inch a royal – in a lemon jacket, green and yellow flowing skirt and black gloves – her presence captivated crowds who had set aside time to catch a glimpse. Others were caught unaware by the royal visit.

In the minutes before she arrived, a crowd of several hundred people gathered, securing prime positions with their phones in hand, ready to witness the royal.

Among them were two Brits in Christchurch as part of a cruise, who were excited to see the princess while they were holidaying.

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Robert Bowman of Buckinghamshire said he had seen her lots of times in England but seeing her in Christchurch was a “bonus”.

The Princess Royal was accompanied by her husband, Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence. The pair visited the central library, Tūranga, before walking to Cathedral Square to rededicate the Citizens’ War Memorial.

She treated the crowd to a royal wave, made famous by her mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Julie Longden, who is on holiday from Melbourne, said she was “delighted and thrilled” to see the princess, who had a “wonderful peace about her” and was “very calm”.

Dean of Christchurch Lawrence Kimberley welcomed the princess and addressed the crowds, acknowledging the need to be “mindful of those in other parts of the world facing natural disasters”, including those in the North island.

As the princess arrived at the Citizens’ War Memorial, the Last Post was played.

Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger said the memorial would be a place where people could come and reflect on those who fought in conflicts.

Flanked by two security officers, Princess Anne walked among the dignitaries and guests. She chatted at length with uniformed services people, her face lighting up with a smile at times.

Neill Price, president of Canterbury Returned and Services’ Association (RSA), said the princess asked how the RSA was set up and what they did. He said her husband, Laurence, chatted at length to Sir Wayne ‘Buck’ Shelford about rugby.

Princess Anne was then due to visit Canterbury Agricultural Park to unveil a plaque in commemoration of the support shown to the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association by the public during the years when shows were not held due to Covid-19.

The princess, who is the sister of King Charles III and the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, landed in Wellington on Wednesday morning before visiting the National Crisis Management Centre in the Beehive’s Bunker in Wellington to meet with Cyclone Gabrielle responders.

Shortly after her visit she released a statement sharing her support.

“My thoughts are with all New Zealanders whose homes or livelihoods have been affected by Cyclone Gabrielle,” she said.

She originally planned to attend the Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals Centenary in Palmerston North but it was scaled back by officials due to the cyclone.

On Thursday, the princess visited the Riding for the Disabled Association in Porirua, of which the princess is a patron.

The princess is 16th in the line of succession to the British throne. She last visited New Zealand in 2010.