Prince William to visit Australia and NZ disaster zones

ASTANA. March 9. KAZINFORM Prince William will visit New Zealand and Australia next week to tour areas devastated by recent natural disasters, St James's Palace has said. Kazinform refers to BBC.
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The prince will travel to Christchurch, New Zealand, where more than 150 people died in an earthquake last month.

He will also go to Greymouth, near the site of the Pike River mine disaster in New Zealand in which 29 people died.

William will then travel to Australia, where he will visit areas hit by flooding in Queensland and Victoria.

The prince will visit the two countries on behalf of the Queen following invitations from the prime ministers of New Zealand and Australia; he will not be accompanied by his fiancee Kate Middleton.

He will meet those affected by the recent disasters, and members of the emergency and other support services.

William will attend a national memorial service in Christchurch as well as carrying out other engagements in the area.

In Australia, he will go to several locations in Queensland over two days followed by a visit to north-west Victoria.

A St James's Palace spokesman said: "The prince's visit comes after an invitation from the prime ministers of New Zealand and Australia.

"William will be travelling on behalf of the Queen and the wider Royal Family."

The spokesman added: "The Royal Family have been watching the natural disasters with the same shock and sadness as everyone else. Kazinform cites BBC. See www.bbc.co.uk for full version

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