The King and Queen in Northern Ireland

Tuesday 19th May

The King and Queen have arrived in Belfast for a visit to Northern Ireland. 

At Thompson Dock, the last place the Titanic stood on dry ground before her historic maiden voyage, Their Majesties joined a vibrant celebration of music, creativity and diverse cultural heritage, meeting performers involved in Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, which is coming to Belfast for the first time this August. The King and Queen met organisers and volunteers preparing to deliver the festival. 

Founded in 1951, the Fleadh is widely regarded as the world’s largest annual festival of traditional Irish music, song and dance. The landmark occasion, in August, will draw thousands of musicians, dancers and visitors to the city, placing a spotlight on the rich cultural traditions of Northern Ireland and Ireland. 

Their Majesties also visited Titanic Distillers, housed within the restored Edwardian pumphouse that once helped launch the most famous ship in the world. The King and Queen met distillery staff, learnt about the whisky‑making process and had the opportunity to sample some whisky, celebrating the blend of heritage, skill and enterprise that defines the distillery today.

Later, The King visited W5 LIFE (Learning Innovation for Everyone), an initiative dedicated to addressing the skills needs of Northern Ireland’s increasingly digitalised economy. As Belfast continues to establish itself as one of the UK’s most dynamic digital hubs - with a fast‑growing cluster of technology firms leading the way in cybersecurity and fintech - W5 LIFE plays a key role in preparing people for the opportunities of the future. 

During the visit, The King met young people who have benefited directly from W5 LIFE programmes. Working in partnership with The King’s Trust, Microsoft and Almac, W5 LIFE delivers practical training and career‑focused programmes designed to strengthen STEM skills and open pathways into digital careers. 

Alongside skills development, The King’s Trust in Northern Ireland supports young people facing barriers such as rural isolation and low confidence. The King will spent time with major local employers and joined local celebrity ambassadors for a series of hands‑on demonstrations exploring AI and robotics. 

These interactive sessions highlight the strong pipeline of talent emerging from Northern Ireland’s universities and training programmes, and the central role of the digital economy in the region’s continued growth and success.

Meanwhile, The Queen visited Fane Street Primary School, after she received a bundle of letters from pupils, warmly inviting Her Majesty to visit. The school is a vibrant and welcoming community, with 285 pupils representing 45 countries and speaking an impressive 47 different languages. 

Her Majesty saw the wide range of additional support the school provides beyond the classroom, including tailored programmes for families, such as parent support courses and assistance in accessing local GP services. With 19 per cent of pupils being refugees or asylum seekers, Fane Street Primary School recognises the importance of helping families who may be unfamiliar with how to navigate key services in Northern Ireland, alongside delivering a strong and inclusive education for its children. 

During the school assembly, The Queen joined pupils as they showcased their work, including arts, performances and literacy activities. Her Majesty met students, presented some awards and unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the visit.

To end the day, The King and Queen received the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland at Hillsborough Castle.