Prince Harry and Meghan send Waitangi wishes to New Zealand

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan have sent Waitangi wishes to New Zealand. 

The royal couple - who have been embroiled in controversy since announcing they would be stepping down from official duties - posted a message to Instagram to "all our Kiwi followers".

"As a Commonwealth country and a realm, today we honour the spirit and diversity of New Zealand, and we feel particularly reminded of the special time we had there during our tour in 2018," the couple wrote on their Sussex Royal Instagram account

"The Duke and Duchess send their best wishes to all the people of New Zealand.

"I tēnei rā, ka tuku mihi maioha te Tiuka me te Tāhihi ki ngā iwi katoa o Aotearoa."

Around an hour after being shared online, the post had already received more than 120,000 likes.

In January, the pair made even more headlines than normal after announcing they would be standing down as senior members of the royal family.  

"After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution," they said in a statement. "We intend to step back as 'senior' members of the royal family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen."

Other members of the royal family were said to be enraged following the couple's decision, though the Queen eventually said she was "suppportive" of the situation. 

"My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan's desire to create a new life as a young family," The Queen said in a statement. "Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the royal family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family."

As part of the new arrangement, however, Harry and Meghan were stripped of their 'Royal Highness' titles

They were also told to pay back the money they were given to refurbish their home in the UK, Frogmore Cottage.

Harry has also been forced to give up his military appointments, including titles he inherited from his grandfather Philip.

The prince recently flew to Canada to join Meghan, who has been there since early January.