The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall spent the day in Northern Ireland, hearing about the ongoing work to support people across all communities during the coronavirus pandemic. The coupe touched down in Belfast on September 30th with a packed diary that touched on major issues and causes close to their hearts. Here, Royal Central looks back at a royal visit to Belfast, in pictures.
Saying Thank You
The focus of this special visit was to express gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to support others during the pandemic. At the start of their latest visit to Northern Ireland, the couple met health workers who had finished their training early to be able to get to work as the pandemic began.
Those meetings took place at the Ulster Museum in south Belfast where the Prince and the Duchess also got the chance to meet people working in the tourism sector to hear how they have been affected and to listen to plans for rebooting the industry after its most challenging summer in decades. There was also the opportunity to talk with the representatives from the hospitality sector about the issues they’ve encountered.
Staff at the Ulster Museum took the chance to tell the royal visitors about their focus on the future.
No royal visit is now complete without a Game of Thrones moment.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall met Belfast City Council workers who had ensured the neighbouring Botanic Gardens stayed open, even in the hardest days of the pandemic, to allow people to find space for daily exercise.
The Duchess of Cornwall spent time with Belfast and Lisburn Women’s Aid at their Head Office to hear about the ongoing work to support those affected by domestic violence. She met staff and volunteers who have been helping those affected and their families throughout the panddemic.
The Prince of Wales travelled to Henderson Foods in Newtownabbey, just outside Belfast, where he spoke to many of the staff who worked round the clock to ensure food supplies reached shops and households in the hardest days of lockdown. He also also heard about their work with food banks.
The day ended at Hillsborough Castle where the Prince of Wales met the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis.
Prince Charles also held a meeting with the First Minister of Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster, and her DUP colleague, Lord Dodds of Duncairn.
He also met the Deputy First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, and her colleague, Declan Kearney MLA, of Sinn Fein who is also a Junior Minister. The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall’s day of engagements then came to an end.
