Antarctic conservation blog

George, Monday 9 November 2009

This job just gets better and better, because on Monday I got to meet royalty!  Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, visited us at Antarctica New Zealand in Christchurch as part of his tour of the Commonwealth.

Group photo with HRH Prince Edward © Evelyn Ussher, Antarctica New Zealand

After a trip around the International Antarctic Centre (where there are wonderful exhibits to see and experience, including a penguin reserve and a simulated Antarctic storm), he came to meet us: a selection of young researchers from all different areas of the Antarctic community.

In the brief it said he wanted to meet ‘youth’ who had been to Antarctica. I don’t exactly qualify on either level (being 29, and still looking forward to my first trip to the ice, in February) but was exceedingly chuffed that from amongst the Antarctic Heritage Trust staff the privilege somehow fell to me!

There representing the Trust was the Executive Director Nigel and myself, who I was very pleased to have with me because I was – to be honest – rather nervous! But in the end I needn’t have worried because the prince himself was very cheerful and personable, and he chatted with our group for quite some time about his own experiences down south (having journeyed there in 1982).

He was especially enthused about the work being done and the need for the conservation work.  His family has been most supportive of this (his sister, Princess Anne, is patron of our sister trust UK AHT).

He described how powerful the experience of Antarctica was to him; ‘an assault on the senses’ and remarked how surprisingly quiet it was in the huts; a refuge against the bitter environment outside.

So what can I say for a fabulous day – but thanks AHT!  And hip hip hooray!

Posted in Antarctica

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