In pictures: Royal Maori greetings through the years

The Duchess of Sussex received a hongi, a traditional Maori greeting, during her first solo royal event.

Meghan performed the symbolic pressing of noses with members of Ngati Ranana, a London-based Maori cultural group, after touring the UK’s first exhibition of historic and contemporary artefacts from the Oceania region at the Royal Academy of Arts.

While it gave Meghan some practice before she travels to the Pacific next month, husband Harry – and other members of the Royal Family – have received more than one traditional Maori greeting on tours over the years.

William is given a traditional Maori greeting by former governor-general of New Zealand Sir Paul Reeves in 2010 (John Stillwell/PA)
William is given a traditional Maori greeting by former governor-general of New Zealand Sir Paul Reeves in 2010 (John Stillwell/PA)
Charles is greeted with a hongi by Grant Hawke during a welcome ceremony at Auckland War Memorial Museum in New Zealand in 2012
Charles is greeted with a hongi by Grant Hawke during a welcome ceremony at Auckland War Memorial Museum in New Zealand in 2012
The Duchess of Cornwall greeted by Martin Mariassouce during a welcome ceremony at Auckland War Memorial Museum.
The Duchess of Cornwall greeted by Martin Mariassouce during a welcome ceremony at Auckland War Memorial Museum.
Charles again received a Maori hongi upon his arrival in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2012
Charles again received a Maori hongi upon his arrival in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2012
The Duchess of Cambridge received a traditional Maori welcome during a tour of New Zealand in 2014
The Duchess of Cambridge received a traditional Maori welcome during a tour of New Zealand in 2014
Harry during a welcome ceremony at Government House, in Wellington in 2015
Harry during a welcome ceremony at Government House, in Wellington in 2015

Advertisement