William and Kate kick off two-day NI visit with trip to Windsor Park
Duke and Duchess in province for series of engagements
Last updated 27th Feb 2019
The Duke and the Duchess of Cambridge arrived in Northern Ireland today (Wed) for the start of a two-day visit.
Their first engagement was a trip to the National Stadium at Windsor Park where she was met initially by senior Irish FA figures including Chief Executive Patrick Nelson before meeting up with Northern Ireland manager, Michael O’Neill, and international legends, Pat Jennings and David Healy.
William and Kate also met up with key personnel in the Irish FA’s grassroots and community development programme – and learned how football was helping to bring communities together.
They will heard about the Goals Programme – an innovative scheme aimed at unemployed young people – and the Stay Onside Football for All initiative.
This uses sport to divert young people away from criminality and offending. The programme is delivered in both custodial and community settings.
The Royal couple also got a chance chance to try out their footballing dribbling and keepy-uppy skills on the Windsor pitch.
They also met Jason Browning, a member of the Northern Ireland Powerchair team, and spent time with graduates of the Irish FA Foundation’s Female Football Leadership programme.
Earlier, Prince William and the Duchess toured the Irish FA’s Education and Heritage Centre. They saw how the facility tells the unique story of Northern Ireland football using a variety of media and interactive displays and how it showcases the Irish FA’s mission to promote, foster and develop ‘football for all’
It is the third time the couple have visited the region together.
After Windsor Park they travel to the Roscor Youth Village charity in Co Fermanagh, which is a residential activity centre for children referred by social workers.
Their final visit of the day will be to Belfast Empire Hall to celebrate inspirational young people who are making a real difference in Northern Ireland''.
On previous visits, the couple attended a garden party at the royal residence at Hillsborough Castle, Co Down, in June 2016, when they mingled with many of the 2,500 invited guests.
Five years earlier, they visited Northern Ireland just weeks before their wedding.
On that occasion, Kate tossed pancakes at Belfast City Hall and hammered in fence posts at Greenmount Agriculture College in Co Antrim