We'd heard about the charm of Diana, Princess of Wales, but no one was prepared for the attention she'd attract all over the country on what would be her only visit to New Zealand. Everywhere she went, crowds pressed forward and photo flashes were incessant.
The two royal newlyweds graced Aotearoa's shores on April 17, 1983, along with the infant Prince William. They paraded 12 cities in two weeks, drawing crowds wherever they went, which showered them in flowers. Everyone was desperate to catch a glimpse of the trio.
Prince Charles was particularly fond of New Zealand, praising the country and its wine in one of his speeches; "we will leave here tomorrow, with a warm feeling in our hearts, not just from having drank a little New Zealand wine."
This tour was historic for several reasons. It was the first time three heirs had been in New Zealand at the same time as Prince Edward was also visiting to teach history at Whanganui Collegiate School.
Another notable moment was in Waitangi, the Prince and Princess were the first British royalty to set foot in a Māori waka, as well as Diana being the first female to ride in the canoe which transported the pair to the Waitangi Marae.
The tour was considered a great success despite the protests opposing the monarchy that occurred during their trip, including Te Ringa Mangu Mihaka baring his buttocks to the royals as an insult.
During the tour, Charles asked for an extra day's holiday to be granted to all the schools. The successful news was met with roaring applause when he shared it with the crowd at Eden Park.
Charles cracked many jokes in his speeches during his time here but he always praised New Zealand. He spoke about his experience in the country and of Diana.
"She is as good as the next woman at the art of hongi. Both our noses will carry many memories of this particular tour of New Zealand.
"I'm also proud to be associated with New Zealand, in the way that I am and that pride will assure that my wife and I will continue to take a close and affectionate interest in these Islands."
The Waleses and baby Prince William with iconic buzzy bee toy at Government House, Auckland. (Source: 1News)
The iconic Buzzy Bee photo
While on the tour of New Zealand, Prince Charles and Princess Diana visited Government House in Auckland. In a famous moment captured on video, 10-month-old Prince William played with an iconic Kiwi Buzzy Bee toy, a memory that was very special to Aotearoa.
However, Netflix made some changes in season four of The Crown, with the scene reportedly set on a New South Wales farm.
It's a tweak that didn't go down well with William McKegg, a director at Lion Rock, the group which owns the intellectual property for the pull-along toy.
He told 1News that setting the scene in Australia is "disappointingly careless".
"It is pretty disappointing they've now placed us in Australia. It's one of our treasures and I doubt we'd do anything like that to one of their treasures.
"It just speaks of fast television, without really thinking through the history."
McKegg says while he can imagine why the decision to set the scene in Australia was made, he feels Netflix has trampled on an "iconic Kiwi moment".
The sixth season of Netflix's regal drama series, The Crown, is set to premiere tomorrow. It will explore the aftermath of Princess Diana's fatal car accident in 1997 and the funeral that followed. Scenes will be included when both Prince Charles, played by Dominic West, and Queen Elizabeth (Imelda Staunton) make their peace with the late royal when she comes to them in visions.
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TVNZ's cameras were at the Royal Tour to capture this moment in 1983.
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