Royal 'engagements' in NI

It is the first official joint visit by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to Northern Ireland.

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Author: Naomi HollandPublished 23rd Mar 2018
Last updated 23rd Mar 2018

Prince Harry and his fiancée Meghan Markle are in Northern Ireland today.

The couple are making their first official joint visit to the province, as part of their UK tour ahead of their marriage on the 19th of May.

The first stop today was the Eikon Centre on the former Maze Prison site outside Lisburn for an event called 'Amazing the Space'.

It is a youth-led peace-building initiative, funded by Stormont, that empowers young people to become ambassadors for peace within their communities.

Prince Harry has been a key supporter of Amazing the Space. He officially launched the project on his first visit to Belfast last September.

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They were greeted by Londonderry students Amber Hamilton, from Foyle College, and Ryan McCallion, from St Joseph's Boys school, both 17, before meeting a number of dignitaries including Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable George Hamilton.

The Prince and Ms Markle then met with young people involved in organising the event and watched a number of musical and dramatic performances by schoolchildren who have made commitments to peace pledges.

Peter Sheridan, CEO of Co-operation Ireland said: “We are very pleased to welcome Prince Harry and Ms. Markle to attend Amazing the Space, a project we see as being integral to the development of a peaceful society in Northern Ireland.

“To have so many young people in one place proactively speaking out in favour of peace and committing to living their lives through peaceful means can only bode well for society, and to have the Royal Family here to witness it makes it even more powerful.”

After leaving the Eikon centre, the couple are embarking on a number of other engagements in the Belfast area, before flying back to England this evening.

Royal Visit - Harry and Meghan in first joint visit to Northern Ireland ahead of royal wedding

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during a visit to the Titanic Belfast maritime museum.

Royal 'engagements' in NI

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Royal Visit - Harry and Meghan in first joint visit to Northern Ireland ahead of royal wedding

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during a visit to the Titanic Belfast maritime museum.

PA Images

Meanwhile the official range of china to celebrate the happy couple's wedding has gone on sale.

It's blue and white with a gold monogram of the couple's initials and is inspired by the ironwork on a 13th century door at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, where the couple are marrying.

A coffee mug will set you back £25, while a plate is £49.