The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall make two-day visit to NI
Charles and Camilla will take part in a range of events over the next 48 hours.
Last updated 18th May 2021
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have kicked off their two-day visit to Northern Ireland by visiting Belfast City Hall.
Upon arrival, the royal couple were welcomed by Lord Mayor Frank McCoubrey and viewed a mural by the Belfast artist John Like which was painted for the Festival of Britain in 1950.
After that the pair viewed a copy of a John Conor painting which showed the State Opening of Stormont in 1921.
Charles then met and discussed the centenary of NI with local historians.
The Duchess, meanwhile, heard about the city’s ambition to become a Unesco City of Music and was introduced to the women's steering group behind the bid.
Before leaving, they met with council staff who had worked in the community throughout the pandemic.
In the second engagement of their visit, the couple met with a number of youth workers at the headquarters of the Education Authority in the city centre.
Charles and Camilla heard reflections from young people living in deprived areas and on how youth workers have impacted their lives.
Charles hailed the “tireless work'' being done to bring about reconciliation.
He said: “I cannot tell you how really inspiring it has been to hear of the tireless work being carried out by youth workers on all sides of the community, and I just wanted to take this opportunity, if I may, to pay special tribute to your dedication and commitment to the cause of peaceful co-existence.''
“We must never underestimate the risk, and of course the cost, of holding to peaceful ways, and how much determination and courage is necessary.
“All of you whom I have met here today and many more of your colleagues in your communities have shown those qualities in the most challenging circumstances.
“We owe you a deep debt of gratitude and above all of admiration.''
Among the work discussed at the engagement were schemes to stop bonfire builders from engaging in anti-social behaviour.
He added: “Whenever I visit I never cease to be profoundly moved by the work that is being done to heal the pain of the past, to bring understanding and reconciliation in the present and to build hope for the future.
The pair then moved on to met workers at the historic Harland and Wolff shipyard where Charles unveiled a plaque for its 160th anniversary.
He was also was presented with a photograph of his father visiting the shipyard in 1977.
In a speech to the workers, the Prince of Wales said it had been a great pleasure to have a short opportunity to meet some of them.
He said: “I'm old enough to remember the days when there were an awful lot of people working here, so it's been such a pleasure to talk to those of you who have been working here for 40 or 45 years, and the fact that it's always been such an amazing family company, so many of you have followed your grandfathers and fathers, uncles and so on.''
“I'm so pleased to hear that there is all sorts of potential new activity here and new fabrication opportunities, that could be really encouraging, and I hope you could encourage a lot more of the young to become apprentices and understand the importance of manufacturing, and to also understand how this country has led the way in so many of these areas.
“We owe all of you an enormous debt of gratitude for your skills and ingenuity, which are so remarkable. Well done all of you and thank you for all the hard work you put in.''
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales is pictured during his visit to Harland & Wolff, Queens Island, Belfast.
His Royal Highness commemorated Belfasts long history of commercial shipbuilding by touring the site, meeting staff in the Fabrication workshop and unveiling a plaque.
The Prince of Wales speaks to Harland & Wolff during a visit to the iconic shipyard.
The Prince of Wales meeting staff in the Fabrication workshop at Harland & Wolff.
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