Diamond Jubilee Birthday party

The visit to New Zealand by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall coincides with the 64th birthday of Prince Charles.

To mark this occasion, the Governor-General, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, who also celebrates his birthday on 14 November, has agreed to host a birthday party at Government House in Wellington.

To make it a special Kiwi birthday party, Government House invited New Zealanders aged 18 years or over who were having their birthday on 14 November to apply for an invitation to attend the party.  The invitation went out on 12 September and closed at 5pm on 10 October and each applicant was also allowed to name one adult guest to accompany them.

Niels Holm, Official Secretary at Government House, said the birthday party was a wonderful opportunity for New Zealanders to meet Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.

“That the Diamond Jubilee visit includes the Prince’s birthday is a happy coincidence that we couldn’t simply allow to pass without marking in a special Kiwi way.  And what better way to mark the Prince’s birthday than to invite New Zealanders from a wide range of backgrounds who are also celebrating their special day to join a most memorable party.”

The Governor-General, Lt Gen Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae welcomed the initiative.

“The Diamond Jubilee visit is a chance to recognise 60 years’ of remarkable service to New Zealand by our Queen.  That we also have the chance to welcome the Prince of Wales and celebrate with him and the Duchess on this special day is, if you’ll excuse the pun, the icing on the cake!”

The response was overwhelming with more than 1500 people—about one in six eligible New Zealanders—applying for an invitation.   They came from throughout New Zealand and even some from overseas.

With the exception of the oldest applicant, the names of the 64 were chosen at random.  And like the group they were chosen from, the 64 are of all ages, from 18 to 101 and from throughout New Zealand.

Frequently asked questions for attendees:

Q: Should I (or my guests) bring presents?
A: Thanks but no thanks.  It’s your birthday party too! It’s your presence, not your presents, that are required on the day!

Q: Where will the party be held?
A: The party will be held in the ballroom of Government House in Wellington

Q: Will you meet accommodation and travel costs to Government House in Wellington?
A: Guests will have to meet their own travel and accommodation costs.

Q: What is the dress code?
A: Government House will send all those selected a formal invitation that will outline the time of the party, when they need to arrive at Government House (instructions for how to get there) and the dress code.

Q: Do I need to curtsy or bow to Their Royal Highnesses?
A: There are no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting a member of the Royal Family, but many people wish to observe the traditional forms.   For men this is a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy. Other people prefer simply to shake hands in the usual way. 

Q: How should I address Their Royal Highnesses in conversation?
A: On presentation to the Prince of Wales, the correct formal address is "Your Royal Highness" and subsequently 'Sir'. On presentation to the Duchess of Cornwall, the first address is conventionally 'Your Royal Highness' followed by 'Ma'am' in later conversation.

Birthday card
Those who applied for an invitation before the cut-off point are to receive a birthday card from The Prince and the Governor-General.

The Official Secretary at Government House, Niels Holm said a birthday card would be sent to everyone who met the criteria and who applied before the cut-off date.   “The birthday card is a small token to thank everyone who took the time to apply and to thank them for their interest in the Royal visit.”

Birthday party attendees:
• Howard Aitchison, Papakura, Auckland
• Graeme Bailey, Paraparaumu
• Sona Bajaj, Mt Roskill, Auckland
• Val Baker, West Harbour, Auckland
• Neville Baker, Petone
• Susan Blackburne, Otaki
• Ruth Bly, Paraparaumu
• Barb Bowker, Amberley
• Christine Anne Bright, Waikanae
• Elizabeth Brown, Ashburton
• Rachel Buckley, New Plymouth
• Leonard Cheah, San Diego, United States
• Charles Chittenden, Napier
• Martin Clare, Hamilton
• Emma Cole, Petone
• Emma Cotton, Westmere, Auckland
• Mary Crosby, Ngaio, Wellington
• Jayne Doherty, Albany, Auckland
• Joy Dunsheath, Kelburn, Wellington
• Johanna, Goudsblom, Waikanae
• Maureen Gray, Wellington
• Sandy Holder, Havelock North
• Derek Hollis, Wellsford
• Samantha-Rae Holmes, Rotorua
• Geoff Honeyfield, Patea
• Sally Hurcomb, Hornby, Christchurch
• Patricia Jones, Napier
• Elizabeth King, Palmerston North
• Fiona Knight, Sunnyvale, Auckland
• John Levy, Nelson
• John Lovich, Pakuranga, Auckland
• Tonya Low, Miramar, Wellington
• Karen McCann, Gisborne
• Ross McLachlan, Masterton
• Grant Michalick, Renwick, Marlborough
• Huia Mikara, Templeton, Christchurch
• Quinton Moss, Ilam, Christchurch
• Melissa Pristor, Upper Hutt
• Spencer Pullon, Mt Albert, Auckland
• John Raymond, Wellington
• Melanie Mahala Richards, Christchurch
• Paul Roberts, Napier
• Jordan Ross, Porirua
• Tony Rowland, Ohaupo
• Alison Safey, Wanganui
• Pauline Scarborough, Pokeno
• Sebastiana Scarrott, Mt Eden, Auckland
• Matt Sellar, Birkenhead, Auckland
• Ngaire Senescall, Palmerston North
• Gail Shaw, Burwood, Christchurch
• Deanna Shepherd, Wanganui
• Sushil Singh, Sandringham, Auckland
• June Sperring, Napier
• Billy Stackhouse, Ashburton
• Maureen Tewake, Tararua
• Patrick Thomas, Lower Hutt
• Antony Toledo, Beach Haven, Auckland
• Ralph Tonks, Island Bay, Wellington
• Deralee Waalkens, Whangaparoa
• Tegan Webb, Browns Bay, Auckland
• Murray Wiig, Ilam, Christchurch
• Roseanna Willis, Mt Albert, Auckland
• Stan Winkley, Manurewa, Auckland
• Anne York, Balclutha