By Michael Morrah
Before the memorial service, Prince William flew to Sumner, where he was greeted by more than 500 residents.
Among the crowd were two staff members from Canterbury Television (CTV), who lost 16 colleagues in the earthquake.
It was their first day back on the job since the tragedy, and the Prince made a point of speaking with them.
The presence of royalty was a welcome distraction for the quake-ravaged suburb, with residents appearing delighted as Prince William made his way down the street.
It was a jovial scene, but the prince did stop to talk of the damage he’d seen in the inner city.
“I went around Christchurch, the CBD yesterday and looked around – it was a real mess,” he said.
“There’s some stuff that will have to come down in the future.”
Further down the street, Prince William made a point of stopping to speak with two staff members of CTV.
Cameraman Tom Hawker and Presenter Rob Cope-Williams lost 16 friends and colleagues when their building collapsed.
“He seemed genuinely sympathetic about it and you don’t often get to meet someone like that, so it was nice,” says Mr Hawker.
“But at the end of the day, it still can’t bring back the people that were lost.”
It was their first day back on the job since the tragedy.
“We wanted to get some archival footage and we wanted to let people in Canterbury know that some of us are still here. WE are working on burying 16 people and, if we can, we will be back,” says Mr Cope-Williams.
Both were grateful for the prince’s time and say having him in Christchurch is helping people cope.
After arriving back in Hagley Park, the student volunteers – who continue to help clean up the city – also had a special moment with the prince.
He will leave for Australia tomorrow.
It was a short visit, but one that has left a lasting impression on thousands.
3 News
source: newshub archive
