Prince William heads for New Zealand on first official solo tour

Nov 2, 2009, 15:02 GMT

London - Britain's Prince William is to make his first official overseas visit on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II when he travels to New Zealand early in 2010, Buckingham Palace in London announced Monday.

Prince William, 27 visited the country in a private capacity in 2005 to follow the British and Irish Lions rugby tour. But next year's visit, scheduled for January, will mark the first time he has conducted a full formal visit.

William, the oldest son of Prince Charles, would attend the official opening of the new Supreme Court building in Wellington and other engagements in Auckland and Wellington in a bid to build his ties with the country, the palace said.

He will follow the New Zealand leg of his tour with an unofficial visit to Australia, his first to the country since he was a baby. Engagements in Sydney and Melbourne are on the schedule.

Kevin Rudd, the Australian prime minister, said in a statement that William had asked to visit his country.

He said the British royal would learn about issues affecting the nation's Aborigines during his trip and see the site of the devastating bush fires that killed more than 170 people in the area around Melbourne earlier this year.

'The visit originated from a request to the government of Australia by Prince William to visit the country so as to begin to get to know Australia and its people,' Rudd said.

'During his visit, Prince William will focus on his core interests of supporting servicemen and women, helping young people fulfill their potential, and sustainable development in the light of climate change.'

The prince would also use the opportunity to meet a cross-section of Australians involved in a variety of projects of interest in both Sydney and Melbourne,' the statement said.