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Todd Talks |
Almost eight months to the day since the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, this weekend will see her son, King Charles III, crowned as Monarch with his wife crowned as Queen Camilla.
Whatever your views on New Zealand's ties to the monarchy, it's an important occasion to have our new Head of State ascend to the throne with his official coronation this Saturday night (NZ time). Many of us have never seen a coronation, and for the first time it's to be televised live and in colour from Westminster Abbey.
The pomp and pageantry of a royal event is always fascinating. The tradition, uniforms, jewels, carriages and the discipline of so many people carrying out their duties under enormous pressure. King Charles, his wife Queen Camilla and his family will be in the limelight like no other occasion.
It will be an incredible time to be in London, to experience the emotion, festivity, the range of events, array of souvenirs; but I'll be watching it from New Zealand like most of us.
I'm pleased New Zealand will be represented by Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Christopher Luxon as Leader of the Opposition. They're part of a large entourage showing our country's support of the occasion.
King Charles has visited NZ multiple times. I met his mother in 1995 on her State Visit and I'm looking forward to seeing the King on his next visit here; his first as our Head of State. God Save the King!
