New Zealand troops perform haka for William and Kate – Stuff

Prince William and Princess Catherine were greeted to a haka, He Taua, by New Zealand troops at a military base in Surrey on Saturday.

The Prince and Princess of Wales visited the army training centre in Pirbright and met with troops from the Commonwealth, who will be take part in the state funeral of the Queen on Monday, People reported.

Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

New Zealand troops perform a haka for Prince William and Kate Middleton during a visit to Army Training Centre Pirbright.

According to a release from Kensington Palace, soldiers from New Zealand, Australia and Canada have gathered at the military base to rehearse their roles for the ceremony.

At the end of Prince William and Princess Catherines visit, the 24 New Zealand troops performed He Taua for the couple, who watched on before acknowledging with a nod before leaving.

He Taua, a call to arms, was written by WO (retd) Wallace RNZAF in response to a request from a NZDF sports team.

Although each of the services have their own haka, He Taua can be performed when NZDF come together, including for operational deployments.

On Twitter, the Prince and Princess of Wales thanked the troops for taking time out of their rehearsals to meet with the couple on Saturday.

To those we spoke to from Australia, Canada and New Zealand, we really appreciate you being here.

More than a dozen New Zealanders will attend the Queens funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday, including Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Kiingi Theitia and former SAS soldier Willi Apiata.

The broad range of New Zealands representation is a testament to the Queens long-standing relationship and engagement with our country, Ardern said in a statement on Tuesday.

Arden has paid her respects at the coffin of the late Queen, and was among the first of world dignitaries to attend the lying in state at Londons Westminster Hall.

Earlier, Ardern met with Prince William and Princess Catherine at Windsor Castle.

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New Zealand troops perform haka for William and Kate - Stuff