I’ve just finished quite possibly the most incredible week of my life!
I’ve been working with Tourism New Zealand on the first visit of the cutest royals around – William, Kate and baby George.
Our role was to help get New Zealand on the media map by facilitating the UK press pack, inviting them to events and I was also writing a daily article on the tour.
So, you’ve seen all the photos that made the newspapers, here are mine from behind the scenes of the huge machine that runs a royal tour.
Welcome to New Zealand! The Powhiri at Government House
The rain comes down while the media scurry to upload images from Government House grounds
The crowds fill Seymour Square, Blenheim to catch a glimpse
Kindy kids have made crowns and sit on their parents shoulders
News reporters film pieces to camera (PTC’s) waiting for the royals
And they’re off. Next stop Omaka to meet Sir Peter Jackson
William holds the umbrella as he and Kate walk from Omaka museum to see the old war planes
William climbed into this plane, a Sopwith Pup called Peggy while Kate looks on and Sir Peter Jackson takes a pic on his phone
Photos are taken and need to be edited and uploaded quick smart
The press wait for the royals at Avantidrome in Cambridge
Kate is presented with a tiny Lycra shirt and this little bike for George
The photographers face the action while Press Association writer Alan Jones gets his copy out at the Avantidrome
Tourism New Zealand took the media to Hobbiton for a dinner and the opening night of their new night tours
They serve their own Hobbit brew here: South Farthing ale. It’s great!
In Auckland Kate and William’s yachting clothes are loaded onto the boat for their America’s Cup race in the harbour
After their briefing the teams pose for a pic. Team Kate and America’s Cup skipper Dean Barker will race Team Wills with CEO Grant Dalton
Sadly for Team Wills, there is no prize for 2nd place!
Today I flew with the royals, their entourage and the media in this Royal New Zealand Air Force 757 from Wellington to Dunedin. Excited much!
Ever security conscious I noticed the toilet cisterns at the Air Force terminal are sealed
We boarded ahead of the royals through the back door
I’m 2 seats from the curtains behind which are Kate and William’s travelling party, then in the very front, they sit.
The head rest on Royal New Zealand Airforce 757
And we’re off!
A cheeky press pack selfie with James and his spooky eye in the foreground.
Breakfast is served! Not sure what the royals had… Probably not this.
The silver teapot going up the front…
Filming a piece to camera onboard the RNZAF 757
Unfortunately only the 6 pool media were allowed off to film while we all waited onboard for the welcome ceremony to finish. Just as well I’m not an official photographer!
Off to a Rippa Ruggy tournament at the Forsyth Barr Stadium – complete with royal cupcakes
Aside from the mini tournament there were royal treats at a mini market in the stadium
Then we were off on the Hercules to Queesntown!
Listening to crew instructions
Cheeky Hercules selfie!
Unloading out the back and off to the Shotover River
Editing on the bus as we go to the Shotover Jet
Next stop Christchurch where the media wait to do their pieces to camera when the royals walk into view
Sir Richard Hadlee runs a little coaching session with the kids while we wait
Looking smashing in red, here they come as the crowds cheer
Kate takes the bat in her killer heels while William bowls – and aims a full toss at her head!
Now it’s William’s turn as Richard Hadlee wicket-keeps. All to highlight the opening match of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup which will be played in Christchurch.
These were my best pics of the tour, most taken on my iPhone, so please forgive the quality, but I thought you might like a sneak peek.
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About Megan Singleton
Hi, I'm Megan Singleton and I'm the (award-winning!) word slinger of this travel blog as well as travel correspondent on radio in NZ every Sunday. I set off on this travel writing journey 25 years ago and I've pretty much always got a suitcase half packed (or half un-packed!) Thank you for reading.