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.

Wednesday 20th May

On a second day of engagements in Northern Ireland, The Queen visited local businesses and joined residents for a walkabout in Royal Hillsborough.

Just 12 miles from Belfast, Hillsborough is renowned for its Georgian architecture, historic village green and strong community identity. Home to Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, the official residence of the Royal Family when visiting Northern Ireland, the village was officially granted Royal status in 2021 - becoming the first village in Northern Ireland to receive the designation.

During the visit, Her Majesty spent time meeting the owners and staff of three much‐loved local businesses: the popular pub The Parson’s Nose, the village’s oldest shop, grocer ER Wilson, and Arthur’s Café. 

Meanwhile, The King visited Newcastle, County Down, a popular seaside town set at the foot of the Mourne Mountains and beneath Slieve Donard, the highest peak in Northern Ireland.

Renowned for its natural beauty, award‐winning promenade and strong sense of community, Newcastle serves as a gateway to the Mournes, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. His Majesty’s visit marks the first Royal visit to the town.

The King joined film enthusiasts and members of the local community at Newcastle Community Cinema. Founded in 2008 by a group of passionate local film lovers, the cinema has grown into far more than a cherished venue for regular screenings. Today, it sits at the heart of the town as a lively community hub, supporting activities ranging from sports groups to live performances and creative events. 

During the visit, The King spent time with staff, volunteers, visitors, artists and creatives who bring the space to life, including local actor Ian McElhinney. Though modest in size, the cinema reflects Newcastle’s strong community spirit and the founders’ vision of creating a multifunctional auditorium that is open, inclusive and shaped by local people.

After this, His Majesty travelled to Donard Methodist Church, where The King met the volunteers who established The Pantry Foodbank more than a decade ago. The initiative provides free food parcels and hot meals, offering vital support and dignity to families and isolated individuals.

Later in the afternoon, The King and Queen attended a Garden Party at Hillsborough Castle, where Their Majesties spoke to guests from across Northern Ireland’s voluntary and charitable sectors, who have made positive impacts within their communities.

Thursday 21st May

The King and Queen undertook their third and final day of engagements in Northern Ireland.

His Majesty began the day with a visit to Ards Allotments, set against the scenic backdrop of Strangford Lough. The allotments were founded by owner Maurice, inspired after watching His Majesty, then The Prince of Wales, visit an allotment on the news.

During the visit, The King met the thriving community of volunteers, gardeners and growers who use the space not only to cultivate fresh produce, but also to build social connections, enhance wellbeing and share practical skills. His Majesty toured a number of plots used by local organisations supporting individuals with their mental health, including the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust and Decorum Northern Ireland. Decorum supports members of the security forces who served during the Troubles and was awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2021.

The visit concluded at the Men’s Shed plot, where participants created scarecrows, ran sessions for schoolchildren and came together as part of a lively ukulele group.

Meanwhile, The Queen visited Women’s Aid, North Down and Ards. For more than a decade, Her Majesty had worked to highlight organisations supporting survivors of sexual violence and domestic abuse. During the visit, Her Majesty met staff and volunteers and heard first-hand about the vital role Women’s Aid plays in improving safety, recovery and long-term outcomes for women and children affected by domestic abuse.

Founded in 1975, Women’s Aid Northern Ireland is the leading voluntary organisation addressing domestic abuse in the region. It operates as a federation of eight local Women’s Aid groups, delivering specialist services including emergency refuge accommodation, community-based support, and prevention and education programmes. The organisation also runs a 24-hour Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline, providing confidential support and advice to anyone affected by abuse.

Her Majesty also attended a reception with representatives from the Women’s Aid One Stop Shop service, which offers coordinated, multi-agency support, helping clients navigate issues such as housing, finances, legal advice and counselling in one safe and accessible setting. 

The Queen later visited The Warehouse in Newtownards. Housed in a former pub, The Warehouse had been transformed into a vibrant and welcoming community hub, providing vital support through free food supplies, hot and take-home meals, skills classes, and access to clothing and household essentials at no cost. 

During the visit, The King spent time in the kitchen with staff and volunteers, where surplus food donated by local supermarkets and FareShare was turned into nutritious meals for the community. His Majesty took part in food preparation, highlighting efforts to reduce food waste and ensure that good, edible food reached those who need it most, reflecting a cause he has long championed. In 2023, His Majesty launched the Coronation Food Project, an initiative aimed at tackling the twin challenges of food waste and food insecurity.

In the hub’s shared social spaces, The King met volunteers and beneficiaries who use The Warehouse both as a source of practical support and as a welcoming, inclusive environment at the heart of the community. Central to its mission is the rescue of food that would otherwise go to waste, while fostering connection, dignity and resilience.

Her Majesty joined His Majesty during the visit, following her earlier engagement. The Queen heard about a range of creative community initiatives, including the popular “Blind Date with a Book” project, which encourages people to discover new reads through wrapped books accompanied by short descriptions. An avid reader, Her Majesty has long taken an interest in promoting literacy, recognising both the joy of reading and its importance in supporting lifelong learning and connection. 

Their Majesties’ visit concluded at Conway Square, in the centre of Newtownards. One of County Down’s largest towns, Newtownards is a historic market town with a population of just under 30,000, known for its strong traditions of trade, craftsmanship and community spirit. 

The visit coincided with a two-day festival in Conway Square celebrating local food, artists and businesses, organised by the local council. Their Majesties met local traders, schoolchildren and members of the public, and enjoyed live music and performances reflecting the town’s vibrant cultural life.

During the visit, The King and Queen saw a showcase of Northern Ireland’s produce, creativity and enterprise in the Square’s historic setting. Her Majesty also visited the Paddington Bear statue seated on a bench in Conway Square, marking his only stop in Northern Ireland during his 2024 tour of the United Kingdom.