Bare breast protest greets prince

The protesters were charged with disorderly behaviour

Prince Charles was heckled by two topless New Zealand women as he met the public in the country's capital city.

The pair, who were both arrested, said they were angry at the postponement of a breast-cancer screening truck during the prince's visit to Wellington.

One woman had "get your colonial shame off my breasts" written on her body.

The demo comes a day after the country's prime minister, Helen Clark, said it was "inevitable" that New Zealand would become a republic.

The two protesters, Holly Goldman and Hana Plant, said they were also angry over reports the prince was offended by bare-breasted aboriginal dancers in Alice Springs last week.

Clarence House denies Prince Charles had been insulted by the welcome dance in the Australian Outback.

The women, both in their twenties, were freed on bail after being charged with disorderly behaviour hours after the incident on Tuesday.

In pictures: Charles' visit

The prince's tour of New Zealand has also attracted controversial comments from the country's prime minister.

After meeting Prince Charles, Ms Clark told the BBC: "At some point, this country, 12,000 miles away, will seek its own destiny."

The prince had an easier time at a remote hill farm, where he entertained farmers and reporters with a display of sheep shearing.

"I remember trying it years ago in Australia. I did it with electric ones," he said.

Shearer Peter Casserly praised the prince's technique, saying: "He kept the blade on the skin and he didn't cut the sheep. I'll give him eight out of 10."

The prince is due to fly out of the northern city of Auckland on Thursday, and will visit Fiji on the last leg of his tour.