Royal Watch News

Prince Charles' firm handshake

Nov 15, 2012, 12:02 GMT

Prince Charles and Duchess of Cambridge

Britain's Prince of Wales surprised a woman with his firm handshake yesterday (14.11.12).

The heir to the throne and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, were visiting the Manawatu area of New Zealand, when they met local woman Ann Loader, who joked Charles could've broken her fingers with his strong grip.

She quipped: 'He's got a firm handshake. I thought he might break my fingers.'

Charles and Camilla continued their Diamond Jubilee tour of Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand - representing Queen Elizabeth in her 60th year on the throne - by greeting thousands of residents desperate for a glimpse of the pair as they travelled to the town of Feilding.

Royal fan Diana Blake told the New Zealand Herald newspaper: 'To me history is important and I want to be part of it.'

The British royals were treated to a rural extravaganza in Feilding where they chatted to farmers and sampled produce from the award-winning Farmers Market and they inspected the town's War Memorial.

Charles and Camilla then toured different parts of the local area separately, with the prince - who celebrated his 64th birthday in Wellington yesterday - going for a tour of preserved wetlands Waipiko Farm and Camilla travelled to Palmerston North and visited the Equine Research Centre, Wildbase and the Equestrian Centre.

The highlight of the heir to the throne's trip so far has been a tour of the Wellington studio responsible for the costumes and make-up for 'The Lord of the Rings' films, where he met Mark Hadlow, who plays the dwarf Dori in 'The Hobbit' film franchise.

Charles joked: 'This is the best birthday present I've had for a long time.'