Invitation

This is an invitation to an official event held during the 1901 Royal Tour of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. It is a colourful souvenir of the couple's state visit to New Zealand. Large numbers of people took part as spectators at the events organised for the Duke and Duchess, but only carefully selected guests received invitations like this one.

Details
The invitation incorporates imperial and local imagery arranged in an interesting shape resembling a shield. A portrait of the visiting Royals is at the top of the invitation. Local flavour is provided by images of New Zealand scenery and the stylised Māori carving that frames the text. A New Zealand soldier and a Māori warrior are also featured. These two figures are in keeping with the event associated with the invitation: a review of 4000 troops and the presentation of medals to New Zealand soldiers back from fighting for Empire in the South African (Boer) War.

Significance
The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (later King George V and Queen Mary) visited New Zealand from 10 to 27 June 1901. Their visit gave New Zealanders a chance to demonstrate their loyalty towards the British Empire and to show that the country was a progressive colony where Māori and colonists lived together harmoniously. The invitations produced for the Royal tour graphically convey New Zealand's political identity during this period: fervently imperial yet proudly nationalistic.