The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall kicked off the second day of their four-day long tour in Northern Ireland this morning.
The heir-to-the-throne, 73 and his wife, 74, walked round CS Lewis square in Belfast to visit the stalls along the Narnia-themed sculpture walk, which showcase the East Side Partnership’s community activities.
Charles and Camilla then attended the reopening of of the Grand Opera house, where The Prince of Wales met drag queen, May McFettridge, who has starred in pantomimes in the city for more than 30 years.
Their tour largely focuses on themes of Community and Diversity, Education, Tourism and Arts in The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Year, as part of their tour to all countries in the United Kingdom for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year.
Prince Charles and Camilla the second day of their four-day visit to Northern Ireland with a visit to Belfast
The royal couple started in CS Lewis square where they were met with multiple stalls showcasing community art
Breaking away for a visiting the Arches Library on her own, keen reader The Duchess of Cornwall had afternoon tea as she talked with organisers
Charles appeared in good spirits as he greeted members fo the public who were eagerly waiting to see the royal couple in CS Lewis square.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall then spoke with Kate Nicholl, Lord Mayor of Belfast, about their tour.
Following a stroll around the stalls, Camilla visited the Holywood Arches Library where she met with the library’s book club.
Charles and Camilla then attended the reopening of of the Grand Opera house, where The Prince of Wales met drag queen, May McFettridge.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall met Kate Nicholl, Lord Mayor of Belfast who is currently pregnant
The Duchess of Cornwall talked with book groups who regularly host activities in the Belfast arches library
During the Grand Opera house reopening, Prince Charles spoke with drag queen May McFettridge
The Duchess of Cornwall enjoys a performance from local children at Holywood Arches Library, Belfast, part of her longstanding commitment to encouraging literacy and reading
Young performers at the Opera House also had the chance to speak to the future King.
Camilla chose a an elegant dark green and navy tartan jacket for the occasion, which she paired with a matching pleated skirt and suede black boots.
Looking equally as coordinated, Prince Charles opted for a dark blue pinstripe suit with a crisp, white shirt and a simply patterned light blue tie.
Yesterday, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall were greeted by well-wishers in County Tyrone as they arrived for the start of their four-day visit to Northern Ireland.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall with a statue of CS Lewis and the wardrobe from the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe during a tour of CS Lewis Square
The Duchess of Cornwall met with library regulars at Holywood to converse over some afternoon tea
Prince Charles appeared in high spirits as he stopped to talk with well-wishers outside CS Lewis square
Charles and Camilla became the first members of the royal family to visit Cookstown, which boasts one of the longest high streets in all of Ireland, this afternoon.
A section of the main street was cordoned off to traffic and lined with schoolchildren waving Union flags.
The couple later visited a charity cafe offering employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities where they were treated to a dance performance and ride on a tandem bike.
The royal couple appeared in high spirits as they went on a walkabout to meet well-wishers, as well as being introduced to local businesses people and community members.
Taking a peek! The royal couple stopped to inspect the Narnia Wardrobe sculpture from the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
Camilla perused some books for her own reading list while enjoying a visit to the Holywood Library
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall chatted with Irish officials as they began they tour
The royal couple were met with warmth as hundreds of adoring fans came to celebrate their visit
Charles, 73, appeared in high spirits as he chatted and shook hands with schoolchildren, while Camilla, 74, was seen waving at well-wishers as she made her way down the street.
The Prince of Wales was also seen chatting with a pipe band, joking there are a ‘few good pubs around here’ they could pay a visit to after their performance.
The Duke and Duchess of cornwall visited Superstars Cafe, a centre that helps train and provide employment for 20 young people with learning difficulties.
The Duke and Duchess met staff, volunteers and trainees before unveiling a plaque marking the date.
Stepping into the story! The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall with characters from the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
Holding court! During the library afternoon tea, Camilla talks to library familiars about the importance of literacy
Young performers at the Grand Opera House reopening had the chance to meet and talk with The Prince of Wales
The couple are at the start of a four-day visit to the island of Ireland, with the final two days to be spent in the Republic – which was last visited by the Duke and Duchess in in 2019.
Their visit will see the Duke and Duchess carry out a series of engagements throughout the trip, both separately and together.
They are also due to travel to all the nations in the United Kingdom during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year.
The Duke and Duchess last visited Northern Ireland in May last year, where they spent two days making appearances in and around Belfast.
The Queen was due to visit in October however was forced to cancel last minute on medical grounds.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said in a statement: ‘The Queen has reluctantly accepted medical advice to rest for the next few days.
‘Her Majesty is in good spirits and is disappointed that she will no longer be able to visit Northern Ireland, where she had been due to undertake a series of engagements today and tomorrow.
‘The Queen sends her warmest good wishes to the people of Northern Ireland, and looks forward to visiting in the future.’
A royal source said at the time there was ‘no cause for caution’ about the Queen’s health – and her decision was understood not to be related to coronavirus. Her condition was not revealed.
The Queen is double-vaccinated, having been given her first jab by a household doctor at Windsor Castle on January 9 last year and her second at the end of March ahead of what was her first public appearance in five months.
Buckingham Palace would not comment on whether the head of state had received her booster Covid-19 jab, but given her age it is likely she has already had it.
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