Prince William"s office says he is planning an official visit to New Zealand, where he will represent the queen at the opening of the new Supreme Court building. Though William has previously carried out numerous engagements on his own, the January trip to Wellington and Auckland is the first time that William will act on behalf of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, the Associated Press reported. The 27-year-old prince is then to travel to Australia. His office said Monday he was invited by the government «to begin to get to know Australia and its people, and build on the royal family"s close personal links with Australia for himself.» William"s only previous Australian visit was in 1983, when aged 9 months he accompanied his mother and father on their official tour.
