Prince William, the second in line to the British throne, will carry out his first solo engagements on behalf of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II when he visits New Zealand in July, royal aides said.

　　While following the British/Irish Lions Rugby team on a tour of New Zealand, the 22-year-old will represent the queen in Wellington and Auckland at wreath-laying and memorial services marking the end of World War II, they said.

　　For William, who graduates next month from St. Andrews University in Scotland, it will be the first time he has officially represented the queen and his first official engagement abroad.

　　The prince, who will be accompanied on the trip by his new private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, has done very few official engagements so far.

　　He previously visited a homeless charity day center with his father Prince Charles in the run-up to his 21st birthday and also carried out engagements in Scotland before starting university.

　　He will also spend time with the rugby team as they train, before watching their second and third test matches against the All Blacks. Royal aides said he was invited to support the British Lions by the team's coach, Clive Woodward.

　　Paddy Harverson, a royal family spokesman, said: "William is a big fan of rugby and is really looking forward to going to New Zealand. He's proud to be representing the queen at events to mark the end of the Second World War."

　　The timing of the matches on July 2 and July 9 means that William will not travel to Singapore to bolster London's 2012 Olympic bid at the presentation to International Olympic Committee on July 6, as had been predicted.