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Privacy Notice King Charles has spoken about his “profound” sadness over the death of a friend who has been a decades-long ally to the British royal family, releasing an emotional tribute where he said he would look back on their long bond with “immense fondness”. New Zealand’s Maori King Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII died at the age of 69 surrounded by his wife and three children – just days after the 18th anniversary of his coronation. He had recently been admitted to hospital and was recovering after undergoing heart surgery. The Maori king is considered the paramount chief of several tribes and Charles visited New Zealand in 2015, where he and Queen Camilla visited the town of Ngaruawahia with the Kiingi and his wife Makau Ariki.
Charles and Kiingi Tuheitia shared a decades-long friendship
(Image: Getty Images)
He also met with Kiingi Tuheitia as well as New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon ahead of his Coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey in May. In a statement Charles wrote: “My wife and I were profoundly saddened to learn of the death of Kiingi Tuheitia. I had the greatest pleasure of knowing Kiingi Tuheitia for decades. “He was deeply committed to forging a strong future for Maori and Aotearoa New Zealand founded upon culture, traditions and healing, which he carried out with wisdom and compassion. “I remember with immense fondness meeting Kiingi Tuheitia many times, including when Her Majesty and I were hosted so warmly and graciously at the Tuurangawaewae Marae in 2015, and then again during our meeting at Buckingham Palace last year. Sign up to OK!’s daily newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free “His death is a particular shock in view of the fact that I had only very recently spoken to Kiingi on the telephone at the beginning of August. Kua hinga te totara i Te Waonui a Tane. [A mighty Totora tree has fallen.]” “My wife and I extend our deepest condolences to Kiingi Tuheitia’s whaanau and friends and all those who will mourn his loss. Our special thoughts are prayers will be with you at this most difficult and heartbreaking of times.” New Zealand’s prime minister Christopher Luxon, wrote: “Today, we mourn the loss of Kiingi Tuheitia. His unwavering commitment to his people and his tireless efforts to uphold the values and traditions of the Kiingitanga have left an indelible mark on our nation. “I will remember his dedication to Aotearoa New Zealand, his commitment to mokopuna [Maori for younger generation], his passion for te ao Maori [the Maori world], and his vision for a future where all people are treated with dignity and respect.”
The pair together with Camilla on a visit to New Zealand in 2015
(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
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