During their 1927 visit to New Zealand, Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York visited Hamilton for one hour arriving at Hamilton Railway station and departing by train from the Claudelands station. Following a welcome at Steele Park the Duke and Duchess were making their way to the Claudelands Railway Station when they stopped their vehicle at Soldiers' Memorial Park. In a spontaneous gesture the Duchess laid her bouquet as a tribute to the fallen. The bouquet, according to the Waikato Times on the same day, was ripped to shreds as soon as the Duchess left the park, by women wanting a souvenir.