Queen Camilla beamed as she poured a pint of Guinness for the second day of her three-day visit to Northern Ireland with King Charles today.
Her Majesty arrived in Hillsborough, the royal residence of Northern Ireland, this morning where she met with staff members of the city council and local business owners from across the village.
King Charles, meanwhile, has been conducting his own set of solo engagements across the region following the couple’s arrival to the capital city of Belfast on Tuesday.
The Queen helped to pull a pint of Guinness during a visit to the popular Parson’s Nose restaurant in the heart of the charming village, which was officially granted Royal status in 2021.
Clutching a bouquet of purple flowers, Camilla, 78, was seen leaving the village’s oldest shop, grocer ER Wilson, before sharing some heartfelt moments with the crowd – including a rather sweet dog.
Taking a moment to greet the hundreds of well-wishers who had lined the streets, Camilla was all smiles for the second day of her and Charles’s visit after enjoying some lively dancing and whiskey shots yesterday.
For her final small business visit of the morning, Camilla visited Arthur’s Cafe in Hillsborough and spoke with staff members about their innovative work.
Meanwhile, King Charles paid a solo visit to Newcastle Community Cinema, where the down-to-earth royal left staff stunned when he purchased a cinema ticket.
In a rather heartwarming moment, the King was seen embracing deaf actor Agnes Carberry, who stars in popular film ‘A Quiet Voice’, before meeting with volunteers.
Queen Camilla beamed as she poured a Guinness for the second day of her three-day visit to Northern Ireland with King Charles
Queen Camilla pours a pint of Guinness during a visit to the popular Three Parson’s Nose pub in the heart of the village
Her Majesty arrived in Hillsborough, the royal residence of Northern Ireland, this morning where she met with staff members of the city council and owners at numerous local businesses to learn more about their innovative work
Meanwhile, King Charles paid a solo visit to Newcastle Community Cinema, where the down-to-earth royal purchased a cinema ticket
In a rather heartwarming moment, the King was seen embracing deaf actor Agnes Carberry, who stars in popular film ‘A Quiet Voice’, before meeting with volunteers
Taking a moment to greet the hundreds of well-wishers (and dogs) who had lined the streets, Camilla was all smiles for the second day of her and Charles’s visit after a day of lively dancing and whiskey shots yesterday
Greeted by the joyous sounds a choir performance outside, the King then visited The Pantry Foodbank held in Donard Methodist Church, which provides free food parcels and hot meals for local individuals in need.
As a parting gift from the hard-working volunteers, Charles was presented with a boiled cake and a jar of honey before greeting well-wishers outside who had gathered to catch a rare glimpse of the monarch.
Dressed in a stylish all-black ensemble featuring the Clever Crepe Finchley Coat from The Fold, which retails for £495, Camilla wore a shamrock-shaped brooch previously owned by the late Queen Elizabeth II for the second day running.
It is believed Camilla’s dress is bespoke, made with the Amherst Blue Silk Satin by Liberty Fabrics.
The luxury design was inspired by a feather collection and drawn from a Liberty scarf designed in 1967.
To accessorise, she opted for the Fabergé Imperial Impératrice Tassel Earrings, previously worn by Her Majesty on a visit to Middlesborough in February last year.
For her second jam-packed day of engagements to several local businesses, Camilla opted for a pair of trusty black heels to provide some much-needed support and comfort.
Charles and Camilla’s trip, which like all engagements in the region is carried out amid a strict security blackout, saw Their Majesties greeted with music, singing, dancing – and a taoscán of Titanic – in the capital, Belfast, yesterday.
They joined organisers and performers to mark Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann – the world’s largest festival of traditional Irish music, song and dance – which is coming to the city this August for the first time.
Hosting the Fleadh represents a significant and historic moment for the city, organisers say, bringing thousands of musicians, dancers and visitors, and shining a spotlight on the rich cultural heritage of Northern Ireland and Ireland.
Their Majesties were greeted by more than two hundred performers as they arrived at Thompson Dock, where Titanic was last on dry land in 1911 before its fateful maiden voyage.
There were serenaded with an instrumental version of ‘I’ll Tell Me Ma’, before local schoolchildren playing a variety of instruments including whistles and a harp began performing for them as the couple walked down the line, thanking them profusely.
Dressed in a stylish all-black ensemble featuring the Clever Crepe Finchley Coat from The Fold, which retails for £495, Camilla wore a shamrock-shaped brooch previously owned by the late Queen Elizabeth II for the second day running
The King then visited The Pantry Foodbank held in Donard Methodist Church which provides free food parcels and hot meals for any individuals in need
As a parting gift from the hard-working volunteers, Charles was presented with a boiled cake and a jar of honey before greeting well-wishers outside who had gathered to catch a glimpse of the monarch
Pictured: Queen Camilla departs Hillsborough
Pictured: King Charles waves as he leaves Newcastle Community Cinema
Clutching a bouquet of purple flowers, Camilla, 78, was seen leaving the village’s oldest shop, grocer ER Wilson
Pictured: Queen Camilla greets a local business owner in Hillsborough
There were also groups of dancers from different cultures, representing Belfast’s rich ethnic diversity including Mexican, Polish and a group from the MSCNI – Multi Ethnic Sports and Culture Northern Ireland – which brings together people from diverse backgrounds to promote community cohesion.
As a drummer played, Charles, 77, couldn’t resist tapping his feet and getting involved, moving rhythmically to the sounds of the musician.
He was hugged warmly around the waist by Tendai Nyamayaro, 38, originally from Zimbabwe who has been living in Belfast for two and a half years, with the laughing monarch slapping his back and returning the gesture.
Afterwards Charles and Camilla were invited to listen to and watch some traditional Irish music and dancing.
Seated at the side of the stage, they couldn’t resist each taking up a Bodhran, a traditional type of drum, and trying their hand – although the King seemed a little more at home with the instrument than his wife, needing no encouragement to have a go.
A fiddler showed them both how to rhythmically stroke rather than beat the drum, the King getting the hang of the movement quickly, as he looked up in awe at the impressive young dancers.
Their Majesties also visited Titanic Distillers, a distinctive distillery housed within the restored Edwardian pumphouse that once served the adjoining dry dock, famed for holding the RMS Titanic.
The company was founded two and a half years ago after a two million pound investment in the building and is currently working towards distilling its first single malt.
After meeting distillery staff the couple were taken on a tour of their stunning copper stills before trying their hand at trying two different types of whiskey.
To accessorise, she opted for the the Fabergé Imperial Impératrice Tassel Earrings, previously worn by Her Majesty on a visit to Middlesborough in February last year
Pictured: King Charles greets well-wishers outside of Newcastle Community Cinema
The Queen arrives at the village’s oldest shop as part of her focus on local businesses
The King smells some of the bread on offer at the Pantry Foodbank on day two of his Northern Ireland visit
King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive at Thompson Dock in Belfast yesterday afternoon
The Queen raised her eyebrows dramatically – it was barely after 12pm after all – but gamely tried a sip of the hard stuff.
‘I’ve got to get to my next engagement,’ she joked, of her forthcoming visit to a local primary school.
The couple were given a bottle of five-year-old Pot Still to take home with them, as well as glasses, a commemorative coin marking the first distilling after prohibition was lifted and some flowers by Coco Syminton, 15, and her siblings Evie, nine, and Alfie, seven.
Later the King was offered a lesson in hip hop dance and accepted a beaded bag charm for his granddaughter, Princess Charlotte, as he toured a science and discovery centre in Belfast.
The King visited Odyssey Place in Belfast on Tuesday afternoon, home to W5 LIFE (Learning Innovation for Everyone).
The organisation works in partnership with The King’s Trust, Microsoft and Almac to deliver programmes designed to build STEM capability and create new career opportunities.
The King then chatted to students from Strabane Academy in Co Derry, which is taking part in an inter school Enterprise Challenge. They used Lego models to demonstrate various robotics and coding skills.
The monarch was given a huge cheer after pressing a button on one contraption to make it move. He was told the initiative helped build confidence and create new career paths.
