The shooting attacks at two mosques at Christchurch earlier this month had left the people across the globe shocked. Since then even the royals have expressed their sympathies with the victims of the incident that was done by a supremacist. Prince William will be visiting New Zealand next month to honor the victims of the Christchurch mosque shootings that had claimed lives of 50 people. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and the Kensington Palace on March 28, 2019.
Ardern is due to attend a national remembrance service for the victims on March 29, 2019. Thr Prime Minister said that the Duke of Cambridge will be representing his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, the official head of state in the former British Colony. She said in a statement, “The visit will be another sign that this nation will always stand with those affected by the terror attacks, and the people of Christchurch”.
Kensington Palace announced that the visit by Prince William will take place in late April and has come at Adern’s request. A statement from the Prime Minister added, “The Duke will meet with those affected by the attack and will pay tribute to the extraordinary compassion and solidarity that the people of New Zealand have displayed in recent weeks”. Ardern added that William had a strong connection with Christchurch and the surrounding Canterbury region after visiting the South Island City during the devastating 2011 earthquake that killed 185 people.
Post the mosque attacks, William, Kate, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sent a message that ended “kia kaha” which means “be strong” in Maori. They added, “No person should ever have to fear attending a sacred place of worship”. Since the attack, Ardern has done her best to show support for the tightly knit muslim community in New Zealand and as a symbolic gesture, she also was seen donning a headscarf while comforting the survivors.
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