Prince Charles and Camilla seemed in good spirits as they arrived in Ireland’s oldest city this afternoon to mark the Platinum Jubilee year.
They smiled as they arrived in Waterford, in southern Ireland, on day one of their trip to the Irish Republic.
Charles, 73, and Camilla, 74, kicked off their Republic tour with a visit to the city’s Viking Triangle area, arriving at Reginald’s Tower – the country’s oldest civic building.
They royal couple have had a busy schedule visiting Waterford’s Medieval Museum, Waterford’s Crystal Factory, a non-profit social enterprise, Grow It Yourself (GIY), which helps people learn about food sustainability, as well as Henry de Bromhead Stable and Shane Fitzgerald’s Kil Mige Mogue farm.
Prince Charles samples another whiskey of the day during a visit to Shane Fitzgerald’s Kil Mige Mogue farm, near Waterford
Prince Charles gets shown around on a visit to Shane Fitzgerald’s Kil Mige Mogue farm, near Waterford
Prince Charles gets close to a calf on a visit to Shane Fitzgerald’s Kil Mige Mogue farm, near Waterford
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall pets horse Honeysuckle during a visit at the Henry de Bromhead Stable in Waterford
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall poses with Henry De Bromhead (Middle), Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore (Right), and a member of the staff holding horse Honeysuckle during a visit at the Henry de Bromhead Stable
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall meets staff during a visit at the Henry de Bromhead Stable, in Waterford
Prince Charles gets involved with children from a non-profit social enterprise, Grow It Yourself (GIY), which helps people grow food and learn about food sustainability in Waterford
The Royal chats to people involved with the a non-profit social enterprise, Grow It Yourself (GIY)
During a speech at the mayoral reception, Waterford City Hall, the Prince of Wales paid tribute to the friendship between Ireland and Britain and telling of his joy at returning to the ‘majestic land’.
Charles restated his ambition to visit every county in Ireland, as he and the Duchess of Cornwall enjoyed their first official joint visit to County Waterford.
Using a few sentences spoken in the Irish language, he told the crowd it was good to be with old friends again.
Prince of Wales waves to the public as he walks around a non-profit social enterprise, Grow It Yourself (GIY)
Prince gets shown around a non-profit social enterprise, Grow It Yourself (GIY), in Waterford
The prince talks to a little girl during a walk about outside non-profit social enterprise, GIY, in Waterford
The royal meets members of the public following a visit to non-profit social enterprise, Grow It Yourself (GIY)
Charles and Camilla met members of the local community on a walkabout, as well as first responders who have helped throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Charles also met members of the local Ukrainian community, something he said was ‘most moving’ as he heard about Ireland’s efforts to support them.
In his speech, he said his thoughts and prayers are with the people of Ukraine ‘as they continue to face such uncertainty and brutal aggression’.
He added: ‘Such times as we are living through bring into sharp relief the importance of peace and friendship, which history tells us we can too easily take for granted.
‘It is yet another demonstration of how our two countries are not just neighbours, but partners who, though at times we have travelled a troubled road together, have through reconciliation and understanding forged a future that has benefitted both our peoples and the world.’
Prince Charles and Britain’s Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, have a drink of Waterford whiskey during their visit at the Waterford Crystal Factory in Waterford, Ireland
The married couple enjoy a drink together during their visit to Waterford Crystal Factory
The Duchess of Cornwall was seen breaking a glass next to the recycling bin during a visit at the Waterford Crystal Factory in Waterford
Charles was in high spirits ahead of watching Camilla break glass next to the recycling bin during a visit at the Waterford Crystal Factory today
Speaking warmly of his fondness for the country, Charles quipped: ‘It has long been one of our great ambitions to visit every county of this majestic land before senility totally overtakes us.’
Ahead of his speech, the couple met with various members of Waterford’s community, including businesspeople.
The royal couple were also treated to a performance by Waterford Viking Re-enactment Group, harking back to the city’s past.
They looked on with interest as two actors embarked on a mock battle with swords and shields in front of a Viking longboat, as part of the Waterford Re-enactment group, from Waterford’s Medieval Museum.
Mayor of Waterford City (L) with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at the Waterford Treasures: Medieval Museum, during their visit to Waterford in the southeast of the Republic of Ireland
Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at the Waterford Treasures: Medieval Museum during their visit to Waterford in the southeast of the Republic of Ireland
Camilla looking at Prince Charles during their Waterford visit, where they are on a tour of the Republic as they continue their Platinum Jubilee tour
The Duchess of Cornwall looked elegant in a forest green dress, teamed with a cropped black cape and knee high boots, while Charles was dapper in a grey suit
The heir to the throne also met with Joe Kelly, Mayor of Waterford, before chatting to Eamonn McEneaney, the Waterford’s Medieval Museum Director.
The Prince of Wales and his wife The Duchess of Cornwall, chatted to performers or reenactors from the Waterford Living History Society.
The museum’s re-enactment group are a voluntary, self-funded group; aiming is to bring history to life and give the public a flavour of how the early Vikings, Normans and Irish lived, what they wore, what skills and crafts they had, and how they fought.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall talk to the Waterford Re-enactment group during a public walkabout on their official visit to the Republic of Ireland
The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall watch a performance by a Waterford Viking Re-enactment Group as they carry out a public walkabout in Waterford
Performers of a Waterford Viking Re-enactment Group performing for the Prince of Wales and Camilla during their public walkabout in Waterford, Ireland today
The Duchess of Cornwall was captivated while learning about the history of the Viking boat as she carried out a public walkabout in Waterford
The royal couple learned about the history of the Viking boat and viewed a performance by a Waterford Viking Re-enactment Group during their trip to Ireland today
The couple are also meeting local business owners and staff outside shops lining their walkabout route.
During what is their first trip to Ireland since the pandemic began, and the fifth time the royal couple have visited Ireland together, Camilla appeared happy as she walked around accompanying her husband.
Looking elegant, Camila was wearing a green dress with a cream shirt with a black cape, a pair of knee high black boots and a green bag finished the look.
Joe Kelly, Mayor of Waterford, Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, Mary Butler, Minister of State and Eamonn McEneaney, Waterford’s Medieval Museum Director, pose for a group photo
Charles seemed in high spirits as he took a tour of the Waterford Crystal Factory in Waterford, Ireland today
The Duchess of Cornwall met a local craftsman making mould during their visit at the Waterford Crystal Factory in Waterford
Charles looked equally smart with a grey suit, a white shirt with a maroon tie and brown shoes.
Thursday is the first of the royals’ two-day tour of the Republic, which comes after they spent two days in Northern Ireland. There, they enjoyed a warm reception from crowds in County Tyrone and Belfast.
On Friday they will journey to County Tipperary where they will finish their trip.
This visit is one of several taking place as the royal family marks the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year.
The Duke and Duchess watched a local craftsman making a mould during their visit at the Waterford Crystal Factory
Prince Charles takes a tour during his visit at the Waterford Crystal Factory in Waterford, Ireland today
Prince Charles chats to Falklands veteran James Ecclestone during a public walkabout in Waterford
The Prince of Wales is greeted by Joe Kelly, Mayor of Waterford, on day one of his official visit to the Republic of Ireland
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