According to the
Australian Broadcasting Corporation's New Zealand correspondent, Kerri Ritchie, approximately twelve people had shown up to welcome Prince Harry, 27, into the country.
A reporter for the
Today show on Australia's Channel Nine network was asked by her bosses to find fans at the airport that were carrying signs. Upon finding none, her bosses - via their studio in Sydney - simply told her to make her own.
With this, the reporter created signs with phrases such as "I love William" on them, handing them to a nearby group of women. Shortly afterward, a live cross from the
Today show to the reporter in New Zealand was made. The women with the signs were featured, but no mention was made that these were not their own signs.
When questioned by the ABC reporter, the
Today reporter explained it was a part of a "light hearted running joke" and that the footage would not make the evening news. No further elaboration of said running joke was given.
Prince William is to stay in New Zealand for the next few days before heading to Australia. Whether the
Today show will attempt a similar stunt is unknown.
