WPA Pool via Getty Images
イギリスのウィリアム王子が2月28日、福島県を訪問し、子供たちと交流したり、地元の食材を使った夕食を楽しんだりした。訪問が実現したのは、王子自らが強く希望したためだという。
ジャーナリストの多賀幹子さんは、3月1日の報道ステーションSUNDAYで、ウィリアム王子の被災地訪問は、母である故ダイアナ元妃の存在が大きいと解説。1995年のダイアナ妃来日について紹介した。
1995年は阪神淡路大震災が起こった年だ。ダイアナ妃は震災の翌月に来日。被災者への面会を希望したが、交通事情や警備事情などがあり、直接見舞うことができなかった。ダイアナ妃はイギリスに戻った後、ウィリアム王子やヘンリー王子などに、面会できなかったことを伝えたのだという。
日赤本社を訪れたダイアナ英皇太子妃は阪神大震災の被害をまとめた写真に見入った（1995年02月08日 東京・港区芝）
Eton,England September 6, 1995. Princess Diana, Prince Harry, Prince William, Prince Charles at Prince William first day at Eton. (Photo by Tom Wargacki/WireImage)
その後もダイアナ妃はウィリアム王子に、苦しんでいる人や悲しい思いをしている人に寄り添う精神を教えた。今回の来日でウィリアム王子が被災地訪問望んだのも、そんなダイアナ妃の思いを受け継いだものだった。
ウィリアム王子は福島訪問で、福島第一原子力発電所から約60kmの位置にある本宮市の屋内・屋外遊び場「スマイルキッズパーク」で、ボールで遊ぶなどして子供たちと交流した。施設の屋外でオーク（ヨーロッパナラ）の植樹を行った際には、一緒に植えた子供たちに次のような言葉をかけた。
「この木がどの木よりも大きくなるといいね。見守ってください。ぜひ報告してください」
（復興祈り気さくに交流 ウィリアム王子 | 福島民報より 2015/03/01 08:35）
ウィリアム王子 日本訪問
The Duke Of Cambridge Visits Japan - Day 3(01 of20)
KORIYAMA, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 28: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge plants a tree as he visits Smile Kid\'s Park on February 28, 2015 in Koriyama, Japan. The Duke of Cambridge is visiting Japan from February 26th to March 1st 2015. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Visits Japan - Day 3(02 of20)
KORIYAMA, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 28: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (blue tie) visit Smile Kid\'s Park on February 28, 2015 in Koriyama, Japan. The Duke of Cambridge is visiting Japan from February 26th to March 1st 2015. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Visits Japan - Day 3(03 of20)
KORIYAMA, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 28: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe play with children as they visit Smile Kid\'s Park on February 28, 2015 in Koriyama, Japan. The Duke of Cambridge is visiting Japan from February 26th to March 1st 2015. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Visits Japan - Day 3(04 of20)
KORIYAMA, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 28: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe play with children as they visit Smile Kid\'s Park on February 28, 2015 in Koriyama, Japan. The Duke of Cambridge is visiting Japan from February 26th to March 1st 2015. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Visits Japan - Day 3(05 of20)
KORIYAMA, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 28: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (blue tie) play with children as they visit Smile Kid\'s Park on February 28, 2015 in Koriyama, Japan. The Duke of Cambridge is visiting Japan from February 26th to March 1st 2015. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Visits Japan - Day 3(06 of20)
KORIYAMA, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 28: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge wears a \'yukata\' at a traditional Japanese Ryokan before dinner on February 28, 2015 in Koriyama, Japan. The Duke of Cambridge is visiting Japan from February 26th to March 1st 2015. (Photo by Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty Images) (credit:WPA Pool via Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Visits Japan - Day 3(07 of20)
KORIYAMA, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 28: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (2R) smiles before he eats dinner at a traditional Japanese Ryokan on February 28, 2015 in Koriyama, Japan. The Duke of Cambridge is visiting Japan from February 26th to March 1st 2015. (Photo by Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty Images) (credit:WPA Pool via Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Visits Japan - Day 3(08 of20)
KORIYAMA, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 28: (L-R) Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wear \'yukata\' as they pose for photographs at a traditional Japanese Ryokan before dinner on February 28, 2015 in Koriyama, Japan. The Duke of Cambridge is visiting Japan from February 26th to March 1st 2015. (Photo by Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty Images) (credit:WPA Pool via Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Visits Japan - Day 3(09 of20)
TOKYO, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 28: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge laughs along with Japanese children as a cartoon image of him appears on a screen after he scanned in one of the drawings, during his visit to the British designed Tsutaya bookshopon February 28, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. The Duke of Cambridge is visiting Japan from February 26th to March 1st 2015. (Photo by John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images) (credit:WPA Pool via Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Visits Japan - Day 3(10 of20)
TOKYO, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 28: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge wears a traditional Japanese King\'s Costume (Samurai) during a visit to the set of a historical drama at NHK Public Broadcasting Studios on February 28, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. The Duke of Cambridge is visiting Japan from February 26th to March 1st 2015. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Visits Japan - Day 3(11 of20)
TOKYO, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 28: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge laughs as British Ambassador to Japan Tim Hitchens wears a Samurai wig during a visit to the set of a historical drama at NHK Public Broadcasting Studios during the third day of his visit to Japan on February 28, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. The Duke of Cambridge is visiting Japan from February 26th to March 1st 2015. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Visits Japan - Day 3(12 of20)
TOKYO, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 28: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge examines a Geisha wig during a visit to the set of a historical drama at NHK Public Broadcasting Studios during the third day of his visit to Japan on February 28, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. The Duke of Cambridge is visiting Japan from February 26th to March 1st 2015. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Visits Japan - Day 3(13 of20)
TOKYO, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 28: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge meets NHK mascot \'Domo\' during a visit to NHK Public Broadcasting Studios on the third day of his visit to Japan on February 28, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. The Duke of Cambridge is visiting Japan from February 26th to March 1st 2015. (Photo by Tim Rooke-Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Pool via Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Visits Japan - Day 2(14 of20)
TOKYO, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 27: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, after he arrived for lunch at the couple\'s residence within the Royal Palace grounds on February 27, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. The Duke of Cambridge is visiting Japan from February 26th to March 1st 2015. (Photo by John Stillwell - WPA Pool /Getty Images) (credit:WPA Pool via Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Visits Japan - Day 2(15 of20)
TOKYO, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 27: His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince of Japan meets Prince William, Duke of Cambridge at a reception at Togo Palace, given by the Ambassador, where he met high profile Japanese figures including politicians, artists, young leaders, sportsmen and other leaders in their field on February 27, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. The Duke of Cambridge is visiting Japan from February 26th to March 1st 2015. (Photo by Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool /Getty Images) (credit:WPA Pool via Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Visits Japan - Day 1(16 of20)
TOKYO, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 26: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge takes part in a traditional tea ceremony in Hama Rikyu Gardens on the first day of his visit to Japan on February 26, 2015 ino Tokyo, Japan. The Duke of Cambridge is visiting Japan from February 26th to March 1st 2015. (Photo by Tim Rooke - Pool /Getty Images) (credit:Pool via Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Visits Japan - Day 2(17 of20)
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 27: A photograph of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge\'s late mother Princess Diana (who visited the cemetery during a visit in 1995) as he visits Hodogaya Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery on the second day of his visit to Japan on February 26, 2015 in Yokohama, Japan. The Duke of Cambridge is visiting Japan from February 26th to March 1st 2015. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Visits Japan - Day 4(18 of20)
ISHINOMAKI, JAPAN - MARCH 01: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge is greeted by Lion Dancers performing in an Shishimai Ceremony at Chime of Hope Shopping Centre on March 1, 2015 in Ishinomaki, Japan. The Duke of Cambridge is on his final day in Japan and will begin an Official visit to China tommorow. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Visits Japan - Day 4(19 of20)
ISHINOMAKI, JAPAN - MARCH 01: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge examines the 2011 Tsunami high tide mark at Ishinomaki local newspaper office on March 1, 2015 in Ishinomaki, Japan. The Duke of Cambridge is on his final day in Japan and will begin an Official visit to China tommorow. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
The Duke Of Cambridge Visits Japan - Day 4(20 of20)
ISHINOMAKI, JAPAN - MARCH 01: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge is shown handwritten newspaper pages produced during the March 2011 Tsunami at Ishinomaki local newspaper office on March 1, 2015 in Ishinomaki, Japan. The Duke of Cambridge is on his final day in Japan and will begin an Official visit to China tommorow. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
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