Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall arrive in Auckland for royal tour of New Zealand

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, have arrived in New Zealand for a six-day royal tour, which will see them meet Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and visit the cities of Auckland and Christchurch.

The Prince of Wales, 71, and the Duchess, 72, touched down at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Whenupai, north of Auckland’s city centre, on Sunday morning, where they were greeted by Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy and Auckland Deputy Mayor Bill Cashmore before being whisked away in a waiting car.

The first engagement will begin in Auckland on Monday, after which the British royals will travel to Christchurch on the country’s South Island to observe the regeneration of the city since the 2011 earthquake, and see how the community has rallied in the aftermath of the March 15 terrorist attacks.

Their Royal Highnesses will also visit the northern Bay of Islands region and the southern coastal town of Kaikoura during their visit, which runs until November 23.

Charles and Camilla previously visited New Zealand in 2012 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, and again in 2015 for an official tour.

The royal couple (pictured on the tarmac) will spend time in Auckland and Christchurch, observe the regeneration of the city since the 2011 earthquake, and see how the community has rallied in the aftermath of the March 15 terrorist attacks

On Monday, the couple will lay a wreath at the Mt Roskill War Memorial Park and learn about the stories of Niuean soldiers who served the Commonwealth during World War One.

Royal fans can catch a glimpse of the couple during public walks which will take place at Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour on November 19, and in Christchurch’s Cathedral Square on November 22.

The Prince will also conduct a solo walk in Kaikoura on November 23.

Ahead of the visit, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a statement: ‘I know that the couple have greatly enjoyed New Zealanders’ warm hospitality…when they visited previously.

‘The Prince of Wales has been a strong advocate for the environment, conservation and sustainability for many years. This visit will provide opportunities for him to engage with New Zealanders on those subjects, and to learn more about the ways in which New Zealand is preparing for the future.’

Disembarking the plane on arrival, Camilla looked elegant in a pale midi-dress adorned with black floral print and a cream coat with gold stitching around the hems. 

Camilla looked elegant in a pale midi-dress adorned with black floral print and a cream coat with gold stitching around the hems, teaming the look with her favourite pair of classic beige-and-black Chanel heels

The Duchess teamed the look with her favourite pair of classic beige-and-black Chanel heels, a style she has worn regularly since 2005.

Shielding her eyes from the spring sunshine with a pair of black Ray Ban sunglasses, she toted a quirky wicker bag with a stylish bamboo handle and accessorised with her trademark pearl drop earrings.

The royal wore her platinum blonde tresses in her signature bouncy style, and kept her makeup to a minimum, adding a pop colour with a slick of rose pink lipstick.

Fresh faced and suntanned from his official trip to India earlier this month, the Prince looked dapper in a grey suit with a patterned blue tie and patent black dress shoes. 

Fresh faced and suntanned from his trip to India earlier this month, the Prince looked dapper in a grey suit with a patterned blue tie and patent black dress shoes

On Monday, the couple will lay a wreath at the Mt Roskill War Memorial Park and learn about the stories of Niuean soldiers who served the Commonwealth during World War One, followed by public walks in Auckland on November 19 and Christchurch on November 22

Australian Press Association’s royal correspondent Tony Jones, who travelled with Prince Charles on his visit to India earlier this month, said the couple are in New Zealand to strengthen Britain’s connections with the Commonwealth.

‘Commonwealth countries are important to the UK and especially important if I use the B-Word, Brexit, because England is looking for new opportunities to make more friends in the world,’ he said.

‘They’ve got this ready made group of countries, Commonwealth countries, and New Zealand is a key one of those.’

Jones said he was unsure whether Kiwis would be clamouring for a sight of the Prince and Duchess during the public outings but the royal family knew they had to put the effort in.

‘You have to engage with these in public, be seen in New Zealand, talking to New Zealanders, otherwise that bond will lapse between the monarchy and the Kiwis,’ he said.

‘It’s no secret that Harry, Meghan, William and Kate are more popular around the world, and you could probably say in the UK too.

‘Maybe Charles has to work a little bit harder to get his message across, to renew these bonds.

‘It might be easier for younger members of the family just to turn up and they know they’ll get instant coverage, crowds at the barriers. For Charles and Camilla, they might have to put a bit more effort in.’

Charles celebrated his 71st birthday in Mumbai earlier this month, with schoolchildren whose education is supported by his charitable foundation, the British Asian Trust

 The Prince looked delighted when the youngsters sang ‘Happy Birthday’ and presented him with a large chocolate cake

Last week, Charles celebrated his 71st birthday with a group of local schoolchildren in Mumbai, where he received a gift featuring the stories of the Hindu deity Krishna, told with tiny figures in three bonsai gardens.

The children sung ‘Happy Birthday’ to the heir to the British throne, presenting him with a large chocolate cake. 

On the first day of the tour, the Prince looked delighted as he met US pop sensation Katy Perry at an event for his charitable organisation, the British Asian Trust, which supports lasting change across the region.