Prince William speaks with members of New Zealand's Muslim community a year after terrorist attacks

Prince William says community is a role model for 'how something so tragic can be negotiated with the utmost grace and dignity'

Duke of Cambridge speaks to members of New Zealand's Muslim community (Kensington Palace)

The Duke of Cambridge has spoken with members of the New Zealand Muslim community a year after first connecting following the Al-Noor and Linwood mosque terrorist attacks.

On Thursday, Prince William talked to members of the Christchurch Muslim community via a Zoom call to discuss grief, healing, and how those impacted by the 15 March attacks are fairing 14 months on.

During the call, the duke spoke with Imams and representatives from the Al-Noor and Linwood mosques, and the Muslim Association of Canterbury, according to Kensington Palace.

The duke concluded the call expressing how proud he is of the community and its resilience following tragedy.

“I’m really proud of all of you, the whole community and the New Zealand Government for how you have all dealt with such an atrocity,” he said. “You are a role model for how something so tragic can be negotiated with the utmost grace and dignity.”

The conversation comes after Prince William travelled to New Zealand in April 2019 on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen to pay tribute to those affected by the Christchurch mosques terrorist attacks, which killed 50 people.

During his April visit, the Duke of Cambridge met with survivors of the terrorist attacks, including five-year-old Alen Alsati, who was recovering from critical injuries at Starship Children's Hospital, as well as first responders and officers.

At the time, Prince William offered his prayers to the community following the attacks, which he called a “cruel nightmare”.

In addition to discussing the lasting impacts of the attacks on the community, Prince William and the group also touched on the coronavirus pandemic during Thursday's Zoom call, and how the Muslim community has adapted during the country’s lockdown.