Motions — Congratulatory Message—Birth of Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge

I seek leave to move a motion without notice on the birth of Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is not.

I move, That the House put on record its congratulations to Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, on the birth of Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge. The birth of a second child is an exciting time for a family. It is a time of great joy and immense celebration, and part of that joy is observing the reaction of the older brother or sister as they meet the new little member of the family. I am sure that the duke and duchess are cherishing this special time with both Prince George and their new daughter.

The birth of Prince George was one of the most eagerly anticipated in recent history. It is moving to see that the public is just as excited at the birth of the princess. I am sure she will bring the same delight as we watch her grow. It is a pleasure to observe the strong family unit bonded by love and mutual support that the duke and duchess are creating with their children. I have joined with other leaders across the Commonwealth and the world in congratulating Prince William and the duchess on the arrival of their daughter, and I am sure that the other members of this House and the public of New Zealand support the good wishes expressed to them.

I would also like to note that in a few days’ time New Zealand will be welcoming His Royal Highness Prince Harry, who will be visiting our country for the first time. It will be an opportunity for New Zealanders to pass on personally their best wishes to the royal family on the birth of Princess Charlotte. New Zealand’s official gift to the royal couple is a handcrafted teddy bear and a box set of woollen baby items made from wool of unique Stansborough sheep bred in the Wairarapa. The teddy will be specially made by Cheryl Eldridge of Stansborough and will have the special touches to make it unique for the princess. I might add that it is in the colour of dusky pink.

On behalf of the people of New Zealand, I am pleased to be able to put on the record of this House our congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and to Prince George, and to welcome the newest member of the royal family into the world.

Speaking as the Leader of Her Majesty’s loyal Opposition, can I also join the Prime Minister and the many New Zealanders congratulating the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their second child, Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. Welcoming a child into the world is a very happy occasion for any family. Princess Charlotte, of course, arrived under the scrutiny of hundreds of media and millions more waiting in anticipation, including, of course, the street vendors keen to get their supplies of ceramic mugs and tea towels on to the streets’ shelves.

As many in this House will know, I was actually in England for the days leading up to the royal birth. Despite the fact that I am a committed republican, it did not stop my wife Leigh from insisting that I bring back a ceramic mug or tea towel, or several of them, but, sadly, that did not happen on this occasion.

In spite of my personal views, I know that the Queen and her family are held in high regard by many New Zealanders. I acknowledge the important role different generations of the family are making today around the Commonwealth as standard-bearers for comity and community. For example, I note that Princess Charlotte’s grandfather Prince Charles, after whom I understand Princess Charlotte has been named, gave the most eloquent and touching addresses at the Gallipoli commemorations over Anzac weekend. I see that the new princess carries the name “Diana”. That will be greeted warmly by the millions who continue to hold her grandmother in high esteem for her charity work around the world.

On behalf of the Labour Party I once again respectfully congratulate the Duke and Duchess on the birth of their daughter, Princess Charlotte, and look forward to meeting her uncle Prince Harry when he arrives this weekend.

The Green Party congratulates Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their second child, Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, Princess of Cambridge. The birth of a happy and healthy baby girl is always a cause for joy, and the name “Charlotte” has, apparently, ranked first in recent years by way of choice for a girl’s name in New Zealand. But this royal baby is special for a particular reason. Charlotte will be the first female heir to the British throne to have her place in the line of succession guaranteed over younger male siblings and other male heirs. Blissfully unaware she may be, but as she beams out on the world she personifies constitutional progress for the Realm of New Zealand.

As we debate this motion today the New Zealand Flag Consideration Panel is starting its work. Whether changing the flag is necessary or not is a different issue, but that does show that New Zealanders are interested in discussing the issues that symbolise us as a nation and tell the story of who we are. The Green Party welcomes that debate. We should not take for granted that our symbols of nationhood today will be relevant tomorrow. We take this opportunity to wish the British royal family in London well.

Kia ora, Mr Speaker. New Zealand First joins with the rest of the House in extending our congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. We welcome Charlotte Elizabeth Diana and we wish both her and her family, her older brother, and extended family a safe and happy life. Kia ora.

Tēnā koe, Mr Speaker. Kia ora tātou. Ko tāku he whaiwhai haere i ngā mihi a te Pirimia ki te uri o Irihāpeti, kua puta mai ki te whaiao, ki Te Ao Mārama.

[Thank you, Mr Speaker. Salutations to us. I am merely following up the Prime Minister’s sentiments to the descendant of Queen Elizabeth who has emerged into the world of light and understanding.]

As a representative of some of Her Majesty’s Treaty partners, I stand to follow on from the Prime Minister’s statement and acknowledge the birth of e kī ana te kōrero he taonga ki te ao [as it has been stated, a worldly treasure].

I acknowledge the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, but I probably want to pay more tribute to the grandparents, being a grandfather myself on the birth of my mokopuna. In our household our mokopuna is the princess—in fact, she is probably the queen, to be truthful, in everything that she does, from the time she wakes up until the time she goes to bed. So in our household she is the queen, not just the princess. I wish them all the very best in the years ahead. In particular, I hope that the House thinks very much of the grandparents today, as we consider this very important last couple of days for the birth of a taonga ki te ao, arā noa atu ngā taonga o te ao [a worldly treasure, and there are many other treasures of the world]. Tēnā tātou katoa.

On behalf of the ACT Party, I would like to offer our warmest congratulations to Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of Princess Catherine—

💬 Hon Members: Charlotte.

—sorry, Charlotte—a healthy, strapping 8 pound, 3 ounce baby. Thank you.

Motion agreed to.