King Charles III was greeted with the traditional Maori salute
Updated on 02/21/2023 at 12:41 PM
- King Charles III attended a military training camp in southwest England.
- He was greeted by a New Zealand private.
- Greet him with the traditional Māori gesture.
King Charles III attended a military training camp in Wiltshire, southwest England. He received a very special reception. Charles received a traditional Maori greeting from a New Zealander associated with the camp. The forehead and nose are pressed together.
This greeting is called “hongi” and is a traditional Aboriginal greeting ritual in New Zealand. Rough translation, this means: “the same joint.” The nose and forehead are pressed together so that one can feel one’s breath.
King Charles III admired the soldiers
At the training camp, Ukrainian soldiers will receive five weeks of basic training from British and other partner forces before returning to fight in their country, which was invaded by Russian forces nearly a year ago. The king was accompanied by the commander of the British army, General Sir Patrick Sanders. Charles praises the “amazing” soldiers as he watches them storm a mock trench and engage in a gunfight. “I don’t know how you do it. I’m full of admiration,” The 74-year-old officer said, according to the BBC.
He also took the time to talk to the Ukrainians. “It’s an incredible feeling to be in His Majesty’s presence,” Jundi told the BBC. Another said the king asked him how the training was going. “And he was concerned for the welfare of our families and wives.”
Ukrainian recruits receive training in basic skills such as medical care and weapons handling. Many civilians have no military experience. About 10,000 soldiers have been trained in the UK since last summer, with more to follow.
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