In pictures: Charles III on first visit to Northern Ireland as King

14 September 2022

King Charles greets Connie the corgi among the crowds of people outside Hillsborough Castle

King Charles III visited Northern Ireland on Tuesday for the first time as monarch as part of his tour of the UK.

A plane carrying King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, prepares to land at Belfast City Airport, with a Harland and Wolff shipyard crane in the background

King Charles and Camilla are greeted at Belfast City Airport by Lord Lieutenant of Belfast Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris, airport chief executive Matthew Hall and schoolchildren Ella Smith and Lucas Watt

He landed at Belfast City Airport - in the shadows of the famous Harland and Wolff shipyard cranes - at about 12:00 BST.

King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, were presented with gifts of truffles with an image of the Giant's Causeway on the tin and a bunch of flowers by Ella Smith and Lucas Watt, both aged 10, from Forge Integrated Primary School in the city.

King Charles and Camilla carry gifts they received after being greeted on their arrival at Belfast City Airport

The King and Camilla travelled to Royal Hillsborough, given the prefix in 2021 due to the village's connection to the Royal Family, where people had been waiting since dawn to catch a glimpse of them.

A crowd of people - some waving, holding flags and cheering - gathered outside Hillsborough Castle ahead of the visit by the King and Camilla

Three elderly women - wearing Union flag hats and holding flags - wait outside Hillsborough Castle ahead of the visit by the King and Camilla

The King and Camilla spent time shaking hands and greeting those who had gathered in the main street of the village in County Down.

Crowds of people wave and cheer as King Charles and Camilla arrive in Hillsborough

King Charles greets people outside Hillsborough Castle

King Charles meets schoolchildren and Connie the corgi outside Hillsborough Castle

Connie the corgi also met the King as he received flowers and cards from excited schoolchildren.

Two excited schoolchildren speak to each other after meeting the King and Camilla outside Hillsborough Castle

Three young girls - including one holding a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II - smile after meeting the King and Camilla outside Hillsborough Castle

Merlin the Persian cat, wearning a golden crown, was among those who lined the streets.

Merlin the cat - wearing a golden crown - is held on the shoulder of her owner outside Hillsborough Castle

King Charles and Camilla spent time admiring the floral tributes left outside Hillsborough Castle, the only royal residence in Northern Ireland, after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

King Charles and Camilla look at the thousands of floral tributes left at the gates of Hillsborough Castle in honour of Queen Elizabeth II

Inside the castle the King and Camilla received a message of condolence from Northern Ireland Assembly Speaker Alex Maskey before the King made a short speech to the guests.

Alex Maskey delivers a message of condolence to King Charles and Camilla inside the Throne Room at Hillsborough Castle as guests watch the proceedings

The King also met senior Stormont politicians, including Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O'Neill, Democratic Unionist Party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and figures from the other main parties.

King Charles and Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O'Neill shake hands inside Hillsborough Castle

King Charles and Democratic Unionist Party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson shake hands inside Hillsborough Castle

He was introduced to troops at the castle, shortly after a 21-gun salute had taken place in the castle gardens.

King Charles meets soldiers who carried out a gun salute at Hillsborough Castle

Outside there were smiles and one woman (below, left) held a photo of her meeting the then Prince of Wales when she received an MBE several years ago.

A group of women standing behind a Union flag outside Hillsborough Castle wave and smile after seeing the King and Camilla

The Hillsborough Fort Guard also stood outside during the King's visit to the royal residence.

Three members of the Hillsborough Fort Guard - wearing uniform and distinctive feathered hats - stand at attention outside Hillsborough Castle

The King and the Queen Consort made their way to St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast for a service of reflection for the life of the Queen, their last formal engagement in Northern Ireland for the day.

A large crowd gathered outside Belfast City Hall to witness the King and Camilla pass through the city centre.

A girl wears a paper crown and holds a Union flag as she stands with her mother and grandmother outside Belfast City Hall as they wait for the King and Camilla to pass by on their way to St Anne's Cathedral

King Charles smiles and looks out through a window of the car taking him to St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast

A crowd of people gathered outside Belfast City Hall to watch the King and Camilla to pass by on their way to St Anne's Cathedral

Large screens were placed in the city centre for those who wanted to watch the service.

A crowd of people in Belfast city centre watch a large screen broadcasting the arrival of King Charles at St Anne's Cathedral

The order of service for the St Anne's Catherdal service of reflection for the life of Queen Elizabeth II

Inside the cathedral Prime Minister Liz Truss and Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin were among those who took part in the service.

Prime Minister Liz Truss and Taoiseach Micheál Martin sing during the service of reflection for the life of the Queen at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast

It was Ms Truss's first visit to Northern Ireland since she became prime minister last week and she was greeted by Michelle O'Neill from Sinn Féin, whose part is the largest in the Stormont assembly.