Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall came up close and personal with some native lizards on the second day of their tour to New Zealand. The couple, who touched down on Wednesday, were visiting the Orokonui Ecosanctuary in Dunedin city when they made the friendly encounter.
Keen to show their involvement, Charles scooped up a Tuatara lizard and held it in his hands while Camilla, sat beside him, gently petted it.
The royals dissolved into fits of laughter when a bumble bee first headed for Camilla and then Charles, and flew up his double-breasted jacket. The future King managed to bat away the insect while still gripping onto the lizard.
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrince Charles and Camilla burst into fits of laughter when a bee headed straight for them
The couple were visiting the eco sanctuary to mark Conservation Week. Earlier that day Charles, 66, and Camilla, 68, had carried out separate engagements.
The Prince visited Tawa College where he was met by head pupils Briany Bork van Hensbroek and Joshua Nightingale. Charles watched a traditional Maori challenge and was then guided around the school to the computer room, music room and sports hall where he met other young students.
Camilla, meanwhile, paid a visit to the Te Whaea National Dance Centre in Wellington where she watched ballerinas perform a dance in her honour. The Duchess also chatted to students who were sewing dresses and putting the final touches to some tutus.
© Photo: Getty ImagesCamilla visited the Te Whaea National Dance Centre in Wellington earlier that day
Charles and Camilla are on a 12-day tour of New Zealand and Australia. At the state reception in Wellington on the first night of their trip, the Queen's son admitted he was glad the All Blacks won the Rugby World Cup last weekend.
"I'm so relieved New Zealand won the Rugby World Cup," said Charles. "Otherwise I was slightly anxious of what I was going to find when I got here – a nation in total gloom. Anyway, by the time we get to Australia hopefully they've got over it."
The Prince added to dignitaries that he "secretly (thought) they were going to win the whole time".
