PA/included
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern met Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, at Kensington Palace.
Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, has received Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at Kensington Palace.
Ardern said she also planned to call Prince Charles, next in line to the throne, while she was in the UK.
Kensington Palace released a statement shortly before noon (local time) on Saturday confirming that the Duke “had an audience” with Ardern.
The Prime Minister has not met Queen Elizabeth II in the UK as the Queen has relinquished most royal duties in recent years.
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She is 96 years old and now lives mainly in Windsor Castle, west of London.
Ardern said she admired the Queen, New Zealand’s official head of state, but was delighted to meet Charles.
“When it comes to Her Majesty, I can convey the exact same sentiment you heard in New Zealand at the anniversary celebrations – such admiration for her decades of service to New Zealand in particular,” she said.
“I can tell you from the arrangements I have had with Her Majesty, her affection for New Zealand is very, very genuine and it is much appreciated.”
The Prime Minister’s meeting with Prince William was one of the final events of his trip to Europe.
She attended the NATO leaders’ summit in Spain all week and agreed to a free trade agreement with the European Union in Belgium.
She has also had many meetings with European leaders and has caught up with the leaders of Japan, Australia and South Korea at the NATO summit.
GLENN MCCONNELL/Things
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern meets British Prime Minister Boris Johnson at 10 Downing St in London, UK.
On Friday, she met British Prime Minister Boris Johnson for lunch in Downing St.
Ngāti Rānana, the te ao Māori group based in London, performed haka at Downing St before Ardern’s arrival.
In addition to enjoying lunch, Ardern and Johnson agreed to expand eligibility for young Britons and Kiwis to work and travel in New Zealand and the UK.