The Prince of Wales viewed seaside messages of hope on his visit to Donaghadee on his final day in Northern Ireland.
Prince Charles’s visit to Donaghadee was planned as a way to commemorate the bicentennial of the Royal Charter of Donaghadee Harbour and the harbour’s foundation stone. To commemorate this event, Prince Charles unveiled a plaque at the lighthouse and spoke with historians and members of the Bicentennial Festival Team to learn more about their plans.
Donaghadee is a port city that was settled in the mid-17th century, with its Royal Charter founded in 1821. The Marquess of Downshire laid the harbour’s foundation stone on 1 August of that year.
Embed from Getty ImagesAlong the Donaghadee Harbour walls, local residents have been placing decorated stones that carry messages of hope as a way to inspire hope throughout the coronavirus pandemic. The site is now a local tourist attraction, and Prince Charles viewed the display.
Prince Charles also visited with a lifeboat captain and his crew based in the area.
Afterwards, Prince Charles conducted a walkabout to meet with the crowds, elbow-bumping in lieu of hand-shaking, and, perhaps, the most pressing question was answered. When a child asked how many television sets The Queen owns, Prince Charles replied, “One I think—and maybe one or two elsewhere as well, you never know.”
Speaking to reporters afterwards, local resident Cathy McAllister said that Prince Charles’s visit was meant to be low-key, but “in Donaghadee things get round quite quickly.
“So it was a great turnout for him and such a lovely day – it really showcased the town at its very best.”
Afterwards, Prince Charles continued on to his final stop in Northern Ireland. The prince visited Caledon, in County Tyrone, to view how businesses have been given a new lease on life for the local community.
