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Prince William lands in Christchurch with Jacinda Ardern to meet terror survivors

The Duke of Cambridge and New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern arrive in Christchurch [Photo: Getty]
The Duke of Cambridge and New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern arrive in Christchurch [Photo: Getty]

Five years after his last visit, Prince William is back in Christchurch, to pay tribute to those affected by the terror attack last month, which claimed the lives of 50 people.

The 36-year-old Duke of Cambridge was pictured stepping off the plane with New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, after attending an Anzac Day service in Auckland together earlier in the day.

Prince William was pictured meeting emergency staff members at the Justice and Emergency Services Precinct in Christchurch and with Police Commissioner Mike Bush.

Prince William was pictured meeting emergency staff members at the Justice and Emergency Services Precinct in Christchurch. [Photo: Getty Images]
Prince William was pictured meeting emergency staff members at the Justice and Emergency Services Precinct in Christchurch. [Photo: Getty Images]
He also met with Police Commissioner Mike Bush. [Photo: Getty Images]
He also met with Police Commissioner Mike Bush. [Photo: Getty Images]

“The Duke of Cambridge is visiting New Zealand to pay tribute to those affected by the mosques terrorist attack and recognises the incredible empathy and unity displayed by the people of New Zealand in the weeks that followed,” Kensington Palace said on Instagram.

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On Thursday morning, the duke looked sombre as he lay a wreath at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, while on a two-day trip to New Zealand.

According to the New Zealand Herald, heavily-armed police patrolled the area while the Prime Minister and Prince William attended the service, and ‘at least one sniper’ was seen on the roof of the museum.

Prince William has joined New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, in Auckland to commemorate Anzac Day. [Photo: Getty Images]
Prince William has joined New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, in Auckland to commemorate Anzac Day. [Photo: Getty Images]
Jacinda Ardern greeted Prince William with a Hongi – a traditional Maori greeting. [Photo: Getty Images]
Jacinda Ardern greeted Prince William with a Hongi – a traditional Maori greeting. [Photo: Getty Images]
The 36-year-old Duke of Cambridge looked sombre as he lay a wreath at the Auckland War Memorial Museum on Thursday morning, while on a two-day trip to New Zealand. [Photo: Getty Images]
The 36-year-old Duke of Cambridge looked sombre as he lay a wreath at the Auckland War Memorial Museum on Thursday morning, while on a two-day trip to New Zealand. [Photo: Getty Images]
Prince William last visited New Zealand in 2014, while on a royal tour with his wife, Kate Middleton. [Photo: Getty Images]
Prince William last visited New Zealand in 2014, while on a royal tour with his wife, Kate Middleton. [Photo: Getty Images]

On Friday, the duke will meet with survivors of the attack at Christchurch Hospital and later he will make his way to Masjid Al Noor, where the shootings began.

The whirlwind visit will conclude with a visit to Linwood Masjid mosque to meet with members of the community and later he will lay a wreath at the Oi Manawa Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial.

Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, visited Christchurch in 2014, when they were on a royal tour of New Zealand.

While they were there, they opened the visitor centre at the Christchurch Botanical Garden, played a game of cricket in Latimer Square and had lunch at the Wigram Air Base Museum.

Last month, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge released a joint statement with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, sending their sympathies to the people of Christchurch.

“Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the people who lost their lives in the devastating attack in Christchurch,” they started the statement.

We have all been fortunate to spend time in Christchurch and have felt the warm, open-hearted and generous spirit that is core to its remarkable people.

“No person should ever have to fear attending a sacred place of worship.

“This senseless attack is an affront to the people of Christchurch and New Zealand, and the broader Muslim community. It is a horrifying assault on a way of life that embodies decency, community, and friendship.

“We know that from this devastation and deep mourning, the people of New Zealand will unite to show that such evil can never defeat compassion and tolerance.

“We send our thoughts and prayers to everyone in New Zealand today.

“Kia Kaha.” — The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”