The Prince of Wales looked delighted to be hosting the audience.

Prince William met Māori Queen Te Arikinui Nga wai hono i te po today (Image: Kensington Palace)

Prince William was all smiles today as he stepped out at Windsor Castle for an engagement this morning. The Prince of Wales, 43, spent time at the castle on Tuesday to meet with Māori Queen Te Arikinui Nga wai hono i te po.

Prince William held an audience with Her Majesty, marking the first time they have ever met. Māori Queen Te Arikinui Nga wai hono i te po took her title 19 months ago, following the death of her father in 2024.

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Kensington Palace posted a photograph of Prince William with the Māori monarch, alongside the caption: “A pleasure to meet with Māori Queen Te Arikinui Nga wai hono i te po today at Windsor Castle.”

Ngā Wai hono i te pō was crowned as the eighth Māori monarch in New Zealand in September 2024 at the age of just 27.

She was crowned following the death of her 69-year-old father, Kiingi Tuheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII. He had just marked 18 years since his coronation.

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As reported by the BBC at the time, Ngā Wai hono i te pō was chosen as kuini – the Māori word for queen – by a council of New Zealand’s indigenous Māori chiefs.

She is the second Māori queen, with the first having been her grandmother Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu.

The Māori monarchy dates back to the 19th Century and is mainly a ceremonial role.

This type of monarchy began when different Māori tribes wanted to create a unifying figure, who would act in a similar way to a European monarch.

The aim was to prevent the widespread loss of land to New Zealand’s British colonisers.

It was also intended to help preserve Māori culture.