Britain's Prince Harry reacts as he shakes hands with members of the public displaying a sign reading 'Red Heads Rule' after visiting the Australian War Memorial in Canberra April 6, 2015.
IN PHOTO: Britain's Prince Harry reacts as he shakes hands with members of the public displaying a sign reading 'Red Heads Rule' after visiting the Australian War Memorial in Canberra April 6, 2015. Reuters/Lukas Coch/Pool

Prince Harry will tour New Zealand from May 9-16. The royal's proposed visit has triggered much excitement in New Zealand as it will be the debut visit of the prince, to the country. The Queen's grandson is fourth-in-line to the throne. Currently, Prince Harry is on a four-week secondment with the Australian Defence Force.

Though the full details of the prince's schedule for New Zealand is not available, TV ONE said the young royal will be visiting Auckland, Wellington, Wanaka, Christchurch and Stewart Island, reports TV.Nz. The Prince's visit follows a tour by his father Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall in 2012 and that of his brother Prince William in 2014. What makes the visit unique is the addition of Stewart island in the itinerary as he will become the first member of the Britain’s royal family to visit the island.

PM’s Statement

Prime Minister John Key said details of the programme would be released once the exact dates are confirmed. “I'm confident Prince Harry will have a fantastic time while he is here and I hope many New Zealanders enjoy the chance to see him”, the PM said. According to information, the prince will touch down in Wellington on May 9, after finishing his military deployment in Australia. According to Government sources, the prince is likely to visit Christchurch, Wellington, Linton, Palmerston North, Whanganui and Auckland.

Stewart Island Excited

The Steward Island is really excited at the royal’s visit. The residents are overjoyed that the trip across Foveaux Strait has been made part of the week-long visit of the royal. Bay Motel manager Pip Leask said the island is realy overjoyed. She said the news had been dominating conversations and Facebook newsfeeds. Leask said the prince seems like an adventurous, go-getter sort of type so Stewart Island is the perfect destination for him to get out and about. Hotel owner Raylene Waddell said having a visitor of Prince Harry's calibre will be a coup for Stewart Island to put its name on the map, reports Stuff.Co.Nz.

“Stewart Island is such a wonderful destination with our scenery and our birdlife and it will be great to see a young person like him embrace that,” Waddel said. Prince Harry's visit to Stewart Island also has a genearation gap. It comes more than 60 years after his grandparents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, visited Invercargill and Bluff when they came on a royal tour in 1954. The Steward Island has a population of just 378 people.

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