Prime Minister Mark Brown is in London to attend Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral at Westminster Abbey held this morning.

Brown in a Facebook post said: “I was privileged to be welcomed to the New Zealand High Commission in London along with a number of dignitaries, including the Maori King Tuheitia and Ngai Tahu kaumatua Sir Tipene O’Regan, Dame Kiri Tekanawa and others, as part of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden’s Delegation.”

“Later in the afternoon we along with other Pacific and world leaders, were hosted to the King’s reception at Buckingham Palace ahead of the Queen’s funeral service.”

PM Brown said he also had the very special occasion to chat to Princess Anne and Prince Edward (now Duke of Wessex), both of whom visited Rarotonga many years ago.

During the week he had the privilege to meet with New Zealand’s Governor-General Dame Cynthia Kiro and her husband Dr Richard Davies, discussing the importance of growing the Pacific region.

Brown said he was also honoured to view the Queen in state, and then signed the condolence book at the Lancaster House and passed on sincere condolences on behalf of King’s Representative Sir Tom Marsters and the people of the Cook Islands.