Prince William welcomed with traditional Maori kiss in New Zealand

London, January 18 (ANI): Prince William was greeted by Maori leaders with a traditional welcome reserved for a chief as he inaugurated a new Supreme Court building in New Zealand.

The second in line to the British throne, who is representing grandmother Queen Elizabeth II on his first official overseas trip, was presented with a korowai cloak made with kiwi feathers as he arrived at the 38 million pound structure in Wellington.

The 27-year-old was later honoured with a hongi - a nose pressing greeting, as he began a five-day tour of New Zealand and Australia, reports the Telegraph.

The bare-chested Maori warriors performed their world-renowned ceremonies including the Haka, a fearsome greeting reserved for important individuals, as they stuck out their tongues and beat their chest.

Nga Iwi O Taranaki, leader of the Wharehoke Wano group who performed the Haka, said after the ceremony: "Prince William is a chief and we welcomed him as a chief. The spirits of our ancestors were telling us to welcome him as they once respected William's ancestors." (ANI)