Prince visits Australia
Source: Agencies |
March 20, 2011, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
PRINCE William helicoptered into Australia's cyclone-battered northeast yesterday to chat and share a barbecue lunch with survivors, as part of a visit to corners of the British Commonwealth struck recently by natural disasters.
The second in line to the British throne arrived in Australia from New Zealand, where he attended a national commemoration ceremony for the victims of the Christchurch earthquake that killed more than 166 people last month.
William's visit to Australia and New Zealand comes as anticipation builds for his wedding next month to Kate Middleton, which has captured imaginations throughout the British Commonwealth and beyond.
In Australia, he traveled to coastal communities in northern Queensland state where Cyclone Yasi roared ashore on February 3, destroying dozens of homes and millions of dollars worth of crops, though only one person was killed.
Low-key trip
From the regional center of Townsville, William rode a military helicopter to the small, hard-hit towns of Tully and Cardwell, where he attended a barbecue lunch on a sports field with hundreds of local residents.
The visit is being kept relatively low-key out of respect for those affected by the disasters. The focus has been on the prince meeting locals and getting briefings from officials on the recovery efforts.
At the function in Cardwell, William heard from Natalie Doran how the storm wrecked the building housing her father's news agent business.
"The house at the back is completely ruined, and we've been working gung-ho for five or six weeks to keep the business going," she told him.
"It's clear that Prince William is a real people person," Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said later. "He has plenty of compassion, and you can't get too much of that here right now."
The second in line to the British throne arrived in Australia from New Zealand, where he attended a national commemoration ceremony for the victims of the Christchurch earthquake that killed more than 166 people last month.
William's visit to Australia and New Zealand comes as anticipation builds for his wedding next month to Kate Middleton, which has captured imaginations throughout the British Commonwealth and beyond.
In Australia, he traveled to coastal communities in northern Queensland state where Cyclone Yasi roared ashore on February 3, destroying dozens of homes and millions of dollars worth of crops, though only one person was killed.
Low-key trip
From the regional center of Townsville, William rode a military helicopter to the small, hard-hit towns of Tully and Cardwell, where he attended a barbecue lunch on a sports field with hundreds of local residents.
The visit is being kept relatively low-key out of respect for those affected by the disasters. The focus has been on the prince meeting locals and getting briefings from officials on the recovery efforts.
At the function in Cardwell, William heard from Natalie Doran how the storm wrecked the building housing her father's news agent business.
"The house at the back is completely ruined, and we've been working gung-ho for five or six weeks to keep the business going," she told him.
"It's clear that Prince William is a real people person," Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said later. "He has plenty of compassion, and you can't get too much of that here right now."
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