On Thursday evening (April 10, 2013),
the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were the guest of honor at a state
reception and dinner hosted by New Zealand Governor General Sir Jerry
Mateparae at Government House in Wellington.198 guests were invited,
comprised of senior politicians, MPs and other notable figures from
public life. Prior to the start of the events, Prince William took
20-minute meetings with Prime Minister John Key and Labour Leader David
Cunliffe.
During the reception, William and Kate unveiled a
new portrait of the Queen. In September 2012 the New Zealand Portrait
Gallery commissioned a portrait of The Queen for their permanent
collection to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee. A group of young people
pledged funds to finance the portrait and picked a young artist, Nick
Cuthell.
To
the Queen! John Key (left) and Governor-General Jerry Mateparae (right)
joined the Duke and Duchess in a toast after the portrait was unveiled.
Mr. Cuthell had a sitting with The Queen in the UK in
October 2013. In the painting she is wearing the silver fern brooch Kate
wore for her New Zealand arrival earlier in the week.
On the dinner menu was parmesan and horopito shortbreads with Zany Zeus Feta and heirloom tomato, smoked and potted Lake Taupo trout with oatcakes and capers, oysters on ice with shallot and Chardonnay vinaigrette, braised Cardorona Merino lamb tarts with fresh mint, tomato and black olive. There were also cocktail Paua fritters with garlic mayonnaise and pickled ginger, dressed Waikanae crab toasts with lime and herbs, Windsor Blue and beetroot risotto balls with green herb mayonnaise, South Island rabbit pies and custard tarts with kiwifruit and kaffir lime.
As the guests mingled, chatted and sipped on chilled local wine, the Royal New Zealand Air Force jazz quintet played a selection of lively tunes including Nina Simone's "My Baby Just Cares For Me."
On the dinner menu was parmesan and horopito shortbreads with Zany Zeus Feta and heirloom tomato, smoked and potted Lake Taupo trout with oatcakes and capers, oysters on ice with shallot and Chardonnay vinaigrette, braised Cardorona Merino lamb tarts with fresh mint, tomato and black olive. There were also cocktail Paua fritters with garlic mayonnaise and pickled ginger, dressed Waikanae crab toasts with lime and herbs, Windsor Blue and beetroot risotto balls with green herb mayonnaise, South Island rabbit pies and custard tarts with kiwifruit and kaffir lime.
As the guests mingled, chatted and sipped on chilled local wine, the Royal New Zealand Air Force jazz quintet played a selection of lively tunes including Nina Simone's "My Baby Just Cares For Me."
