Tuesday 30 October 2018

"Well Worth The Wait": Harry and Meghan Visit Local Charity Pillars & A Warm Welcome from Auckland!

Following a busy morning in Auckland and a spot of lunch, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Pillars, a charity operating across New Zealand that supports children who have a parent in prison through the provision of special mentoring schemes.


Meghan was presented with beautiful flowers by six-year-old Ghianna Angi. Ghianna later said she was shy about giving Meghan the flowers, but "they were both nice and smelled like daisies."


The Duke and Duchess were joined by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. As a wedding present to the Duke and Duchess, the Government of New Zealand gifted $5000 dollars to Pillars. The gift is being used by Pillars as a special scholarship fund for children with a parent in prison. “How wonderful that this generous gift comes to Pillars in the 30th anniversary year of our organisation’s existence” said Verna McFelin, Chief Executive of Pillars New Zealand said when news of the donation was released in May. “We will use this opportunity to mark the wedding present as a special fund.”


More than 23,000 children in New Zealand are affected by having a parent in prison and are 9 times more likely to end up in prison as adults.


Today, the Duke and Duchess had the opportunity to see how the fund is being put to use and to meet Pillars families and hear their stories.


Pillars New Zealand assists the children of parents who are in prison with a variety of programmes including mentoring, programmes within prison and general assistance to families and Whānau (extended family). Support is available through the Family Wraparound service which is a home-based family support programme delivered by family and community workers to help strengthen care for children, a new Family Start programme working with the parents of pregnant or very young children to help them understand and learn some child raising skills, and Pillars Family Pathway Centres in prison where families can visit the centre which is designed to provide a child friendly environment conducive to strengthening bonds between the prisoner and their children. Pillars also offers mentoring for children, support groups for families and a helpline for any families needing immediate support.


Meghan presented an award to Enhakkorey Lautasi Pepese, who is receiving his Award for providing opportunities to play sports.


More from Stuff New Zealand:

'Prince Harry said he and his wife were thrilled to be able to spend time with Pillars during their first trip to Auckland together. He said they first became aware of Pillars – and the work it was doing – when the donation was made as their wedding gift. With that money, Pillars created four awards, which the duchess presented on Tuesday.
About 23,000 Kiwi children have a parent in prison, and without the right support they were more likely to spend time in prison themselves. "But now children can have stability in times of turmoil," Prince Harry said."It's been a real pleasure to meet you and [the] four award winners. You are outstanding young people." Prince Harry urged them to use the opportunity to create exciting futures for themselves.'

The Duke and Duchess and PM Ardern joined the Mayor outside for a walkabout.


They spent 40 minutes meeting well-wishers.


Despite heavy rain throughout the day, a 2,000 strong crowd waited for hours to meet the couple. 


In Australia and New Zealand, I've noticed a large number of Suits fans. In fact, they sang the theme song of the show as Meghan and Harry made their way through the line.


Meghan met an adorable little girl called Zoe who gave her a toy for Baby Sussex. Meghan asked her name and her mum replied "Zoe". She then looked at the toy and said "I'm going to name it Zoe. Thank you so much. I love it".


Prince Harry meeting Zoe :)


News.com.au said Harry met a young boy, Otia Nante, whose mother had recently taken her own life. Harry said to him: "Everything will be OK - look at me" adding how important his grandparents are. "You're doing a great job Nan. Nans are so important in our lives". Harry then told Otia: "I have met this amazing woman and married her".


Jewel Harris said it was "magical" meeting the royals and "well worth the four hour wait".


A young royal fan was overcome with emotion when she met Meghan. There's a video of the moment on TVNZ here. Omid Scobie reports: "Today also saw Meghan reunited with a fan she used to chat to via Instagram DMs. “She would tell me to do well at university and encourage me to be myself,” Hannah says of their messages. Hannah gave Meghan a letter which she promised to read." The smile on the Prime Minister's face aptly sums up the moment.


Jewel's little sister Tiare showing Harry her toy.


Natalie described Meghan as "even sweeter in person than you could possible imagine".


A live video from the walkabout.


Meanwhile, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit New Zealand’s North Island. People reports:

'The earthquake was so significant that much of New Zealand felt it with some even feeling tremors in its South Island. Fortunately, one of the few areas to not to experience significant shaking was Auckland, where Meghan and Harry were visiting with local children.
The Duchess wore a fitted soft blush Brandom Maxwell dress for the afternoon. It appears the style is a custom piece. It's thought it may be the same silhouette as the yellow dress Meghan wore by the designer earlier this year.


The Duchess wore her Burberry Maythorne trench coat. The sold out piece has been in Meghan's wardrobe for some time.


Below, the Duchess wearing it for a polo match last year.


Meghan wore her Stuart Weitzman Legend pumps in haze beige.


Fittingly, Meghan accessorised with the Boh Runga earrings PM Ardern gifted her. The Discologo stud earrings feature the native Miromiro feather, reworked into a kiss motif. In Māori mythology the Miromiro feather was a magic token of devotion that would bring loved ones back to you.


This evening, Harry and Meghan will attend a Reception hosted by the Prime Minister at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. 

28 comments:

  1. I’m waiting for them to arrive at tonight’s reception...Jacinda is standing on the steps outside.

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    1. I saw them! :) Meghan looked gorgeous in person 🤩

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    2. I got some good shots; one with Meghan waving in my direction lol

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    3. Zora from Prague30 October 2018 at 07:47

      You must be thrilled, Kiwi Gal!! I'm happy for you! :-) :-) :-)

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    4. Thanks, Zora! I’m happy, too :) hehe

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  2. She must’ve been cold in her sleeveless dress! Lucky she was outside for just a few moments...brrr! Sorry, I’m fan girling right now :P

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    1. That's so exciting! I would totally fangirl, too!

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  3. I like the soft pink - blush - dress. And that sheath worked so well on Meghan. Hope we'll see it again another time. I've never see that Burberry coat but I see it's "been in her closet" comment by the knowledgeable Charlotte. I really like the style, in a word fun!

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  4. Hmm love the coat and Love the crowds singing the theme song of suits and taking the selfie and i love the dress

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  5. I have been very lucky to meet Harry and Meghan today at the Viaduct. Meghan's look today was great. The style and colours she chose were very flattering and I love especially this trench with the fuller sleeves. It was freezing cold but they were all smiles. I met William and Catherine when they were here too, so today was just great!

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    1. Zora from Prague30 October 2018 at 07:46

      Yay, KiwiNic! I'm happy for you! :-)

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    2. You lucky thing!

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    3. Susan In Florida30 October 2018 at 16:11

      very happy for you KiwiNic !

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  6. Dear Charlotte love your blog & coverage as a kiwi myself I need to share & also acknowledge this fact that 185 people also died in NZ most tragic earthquake in 2011 in Christchurch 😔😣
    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Christchurch_earthquake

    ThAnks for all your amazing NZ COVERAGE . Xx

    Theresa
    Australia

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    1. Yes, Theresa, yesterday’s quake must bring back awful memories for survivors & people that lost loved ones in the 2011 earthquake. We must never forget the tragedies that occurred on that terrible day.

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  7. Wow, the video really captured the excitement of the crowd and the warmth of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. They really made it worth the wait by spending a great deal of time meeting the people. Very nice. I enjoyed reading and seeing the pic of the Duchess meeting a lady she had encouraged thru on line media. The Duke spending time with and giving encouraging words to the young boy whose mother has transitioned was sooo kind and special. I enjoyed this post. I’m glad no one was hurt by the earthquake. You are so right Kiwi Gal @11:04, and congrats to KiwiNic @06:48 on seeing the Royals in a personal way. I did see the Prime Minister in some of the walk about pics and she appeared to be enjoying herself. Charlotte, thanks for the info on Pillars and thsnks for a warm and engaging post.

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  8. She should have taken the trench coat off inside.

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    1. I agree. That bothers me too. :)

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    2. I agree. If she was worried about it being chilly, the little jacket from the morning engagement would have been a better option than the trench. It seems odd that she brought two almost identical trench coats with her on this tour.

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    3. I agree. If she was worried about it being chilly, the little jacket from the morning engagement would have been a better option than the trench. It seems odd that she brought two almost identical trench coats with her on this tour.

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    4. I agree then thought the sheath dress may have been to tight across her tush! It seemed to pull a little in the front. I'm sure there was a definite reason she did not, as it is not like her.

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    5. Caroline in Montana30 October 2018 at 22:37

      very much so agree, and in the photo where she is giving the boy an award and she is in this swarmy trench coat. how disappointing:(

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    6. I thought this the other day too. The dress is beautiful but too tight. It would’ve been worse without the jacket to cover how poorly it is fitting so I wonder if that is why she kept it on.

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  9. Susan In Florida30 October 2018 at 16:12

    They always find the kids ! So sweet.

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  10. I just love all the footage of H&M meeting the crowds. It really is touching!

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  11. she seems very self conscious of her little bump as she is always rubbing her cute belly
    nice outfit

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