King Charles made a significant remark during an important meeting in Northern Ireland.
The King arrived in Belfast for his first visit since 2023 and one of his first engagements was an audience with the First Minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle O’Neill of Sinn Fein.
At the meeting, King Charles greeted the First Minister in Irish, telling her “Tráthnóna maith, a Chéad Aire,” which translates to “Good afternoon, First Minister.”
It was a significant gesture of friendship and understanding and was well received.
(Royal Family/ Instagram)
Michelle O’Neill later posted of their meeting on X, writing: “We greeted each other in Irish and spoke of our shared respect for language, culture and identity. We discussed the importance of positive Irish and British relations as change happens across our society. As First Minister, I will work tirelessly every day to represent all our people and communities.”
The King and Queen also met with Northern Ireland’s Deputy Minister, the DUP’s Emma Little-Pengelly, during the audiences at Hillsborough Castle.
(Royal Family/ Instagram)
The meetings came after King Charles and Queen Camilla had enjoyed a sunny stroll through one of the most famous parts of Belfast. The umbrella street in the Cathedral Quarter is a big tourist draw and Their Majesties enjoyed the colourful display as they started their latest visit to Northern Ireland with a tour of this buzzing area of Belfast that is renowned for its cultural hotspots, pubs and restauarants.
The King also paid a visit to the Newforge Sports Complex and Event Hub where he met representatives of Ulster Rugby, the Irish Football Association, and the Gaelic Athletic Association to learn about the cross-community links that have been built through the venue’s support. The King also watched a showcase of rugby, football, and hockey drills on the outdoor pitch.
(Royal Family/ X)
Newforge is the base for the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Athletic Association and His Majesty presented the Peer Support and Wellbeing Volunteer awards to several members of the PSNI.
Queen Camilla visited Atlas Women’s Centre, an adult training, learning and support centre that helps local women who need support, particularly those living in domestic violence situations.
(Royal Family/X)
The Queen met with those running the centre as well as key volunteers, and joined in a session of the Stitching and Sewing Group and the Atlas Sing, Sign, Strum Group to learn how the programmes provide support and outlets for the women.
Her Majesty made a surprising admission as she told women creating watercolour paintings that ”“I used to do it a lot but I don’t have the time now.”
This visit is King Charles’s first to Belfast since 2023. Queen Camilla paid a solo visit last year while the King was receiving cancer treatments. The Palace wrote that the royals received a “jolly welcome” for their visit.
