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| Japan tribute from Prince William at NZ quake memorial | Japan tribute from Prince William at NZ quake memorial |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Prince William has offered condolences to the people of Japan, while paying tribute to victims of last month's earthquake in New Zealand. | Prince William has offered condolences to the people of Japan, while paying tribute to victims of last month's earthquake in New Zealand. |
| Speaking to a crowd of more than 30,000 people at a national memorial for quake victims in Christchurch he said: "This community... can appreciate the full horror of what is unfolding in Japan." | |
| The prince is on a tour of disaster-hit areas in New Zealand and Australia. | The prince is on a tour of disaster-hit areas in New Zealand and Australia. |
| He also saw the scene of a mine blast and will go on to flood-hit Australia. | He also saw the scene of a mine blast and will go on to flood-hit Australia. |
| Speaking at the memorial in Christchurch, in New Zealand's south island, he said the world had watched the city's resolute response to the disaster with awe and admiration. | Speaking at the memorial in Christchurch, in New Zealand's south island, he said the world had watched the city's resolute response to the disaster with awe and admiration. |
| He said the ordeal endured by residents of the city, New Zealand's second largest, gave them a unique insight into the situation facing Japan. | He said the ordeal endured by residents of the city, New Zealand's second largest, gave them a unique insight into the situation facing Japan. |
| "Our thoughts and prayers are with them too," the prince told the memorial service. | "Our thoughts and prayers are with them too," the prince told the memorial service. |
| New Zealand Prime Minister John Key also used the memorial to extend sympathies to Japan. | New Zealand Prime Minister John Key also used the memorial to extend sympathies to Japan. |
| "Even today as we mourn here, we think of Japan's desperate plight," he said. | "Even today as we mourn here, we think of Japan's desperate plight," he said. |
| He said the images from the country brought "flooding back the raw emotional pain that accompanies such a devastating event". | He said the images from the country brought "flooding back the raw emotional pain that accompanies such a devastating event". |
| The number confirmed killed during the magnitude 6.3 earthquake in Christchurch, on 22 February, stands at 166 but officials have said it is likely to rise to 182. | The number confirmed killed during the magnitude 6.3 earthquake in Christchurch, on 22 February, stands at 166 but officials have said it is likely to rise to 182. |
| Queensland floods | Queensland floods |
| Earlier on Friday, Prince William was greeted by thousands of well-wishers as he visited another town badly hit by the quake. | Earlier on Friday, Prince William was greeted by thousands of well-wishers as he visited another town badly hit by the quake. |
| This was a significant and solemn occasion and it required the right tone from the man who was there to represent the Queen. | This was a significant and solemn occasion and it required the right tone from the man who was there to represent the Queen. |
| William delivered. His address came across as measured and heartfelt and the people of Christchurch appreciated it. | William delivered. His address came across as measured and heartfelt and the people of Christchurch appreciated it. |
| For the past two days William has toured some of the parts of Christchurch which were worst affected by last month's earthquake. | For the past two days William has toured some of the parts of Christchurch which were worst affected by last month's earthquake. |
| He has clearly been touched by the experience, and it showed in his remarks at the service today. | He has clearly been touched by the experience, and it showed in his remarks at the service today. |
| After a Maori greeting he began by saying that he was in Christchurch representing the Queen. | After a Maori greeting he began by saying that he was in Christchurch representing the Queen. |
| He conveyed her sympathies and then added a well-judged personal message about the kindness and courage that he's witnessed from afar in Christchurch and which he's seen in personal during this brief visit to the city. | He conveyed her sympathies and then added a well-judged personal message about the kindness and courage that he's witnessed from afar in Christchurch and which he's seen in personal during this brief visit to the city. |
| It was one of the most significant speeches he's been called on to make. And to an extent that perhaps hasn't been evident before, he both looked and sounded what he is, a future King. | It was one of the most significant speeches he's been called on to make. And to an extent that perhaps hasn't been evident before, he both looked and sounded what he is, a future King. |
| He met crowds who turned out in the seaside town of Sumner, near Christchurch, where three people are believed to have died and many houses have been left uninhabitable. | He met crowds who turned out in the seaside town of Sumner, near Christchurch, where three people are believed to have died and many houses have been left uninhabitable. |
| Claire Fox, 81, and neighbour Alison Marshall, 66, said the earthquake was terrifying but the prince's visit was a boost for people in the town. | Claire Fox, 81, and neighbour Alison Marshall, 66, said the earthquake was terrifying but the prince's visit was a boost for people in the town. |
| Mrs Fox said: "He is gorgeous, I think it's just so special." | Mrs Fox said: "He is gorgeous, I think it's just so special." |
| Prince William has also travelled to Greymouth to meet families of the 29 victims of the Pike River mine disaster last November. | Prince William has also travelled to Greymouth to meet families of the 29 victims of the Pike River mine disaster last November. |
| On Thursday Prince William saw for himself the damage caused by the quake, and met rescue workers. | On Thursday Prince William saw for himself the damage caused by the quake, and met rescue workers. |
| "The scale of it is unbelievable," he said as he toured the centre of the city. | "The scale of it is unbelievable," he said as he toured the centre of the city. |
| In Australia, he will go to several locations in Queensland over two days followed by a visit to north-west Victoria. | In Australia, he will go to several locations in Queensland over two days followed by a visit to north-west Victoria. |
| Parts of the country were affected by torrential rains starting in November last year, forcing rivers to burst their banks. | Parts of the country were affected by torrential rains starting in November last year, forcing rivers to burst their banks. |
| The prince, who is making the trip without his fiancée Kate Middleton, is travelling on behalf of the Queen. | The prince, who is making the trip without his fiancée Kate Middleton, is travelling on behalf of the Queen. |
| Speaking earlier this month, a St James's Palace spokesman said the visit had been arranged following invitations from the prime ministers of New Zealand and Australia. | Speaking earlier this month, a St James's Palace spokesman said the visit had been arranged following invitations from the prime ministers of New Zealand and Australia. |
| The spokesman added: "The Royal Family have been watching the natural disasters with the same shock and sadness as everyone else. | The spokesman added: "The Royal Family have been watching the natural disasters with the same shock and sadness as everyone else. |
| "They wanted to show their solidarity with the people of New Zealand and Australia, and the decision was taken with the prime ministers' offices and the royal household that Prince William should attend and visit the countries." | "They wanted to show their solidarity with the people of New Zealand and Australia, and the decision was taken with the prime ministers' offices and the royal household that Prince William should attend and visit the countries." |
| Prince William was last in New Zealand in January 2010, when he represented the Queen in Auckland and Wellington. | Prince William was last in New Zealand in January 2010, when he represented the Queen in Auckland and Wellington. |
| He made a private visit to Sydney and Melbourne in Australia the same month. He first visited Australia as a baby on his parents' tour in 1983. | He made a private visit to Sydney and Melbourne in Australia the same month. He first visited Australia as a baby on his parents' tour in 1983. |