In pictures: Charles III on first visit to Northern Ireland as King
- Published
King Charles III visited Northern Ireland on Tuesday for the first time as monarch as part of his tour of the UK.
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.
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.
The King and Camilla spent time shaking hands and greeting those who had gathered in the main street of the village in County Down.
Connie the corgi also met the King as he received flowers and cards from excited schoolchildren.
Merlin the Persian cat, wearning a golden crown, was among those who lined the streets.
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.
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.
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.
He was introduced to troops at the castle, shortly after a 21-gun salute had taken place in the castle gardens.
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.
The Hillsborough Fort Guard also stood outside during the King's visit to the royal residence.
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.
Large screens were placed in the city centre for those who wanted to watch the service.
Inside the cathedral Prime Minister Liz Truss and Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin were among those who took part in the service.
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.
After the service the King and Queen Consort greeted those who had gathered in Writers' Square opposite the cathedral.
The hundreds of people who were there did their best to capture the historic visit on camera.
- Published13 September 2022
- Published13 September 2022
- Published13 September 2022
