King Charles and Queen Camilla are to wrap up their visit to Belfast (Northern Ireland), which began on May 19. A highlight of the trip was Charles playing the bodhrán, a traditional Irish hand drum, at a celebration ahead of the first-ever All-Ireland Fleadh to be held in Belfast this August.
Queen Camilla is a huge proponent of literacy and reading. During her visit to The Warehouse, a former pub converted into a community hub, the 78-year-old discovered the centre's initiative of 'Blind Date with a Book', which encouraged people to try new genres of literature.
Ira Deokule
After his wife, even King Charles found himself a new four-legged friend in Northern Ireland. The monarch was seen adorably petting dogs during an impromptu walkabout at Conway Square.
Much like the rest of the royal family, even the King is quite fond of canines. He and Queen Camilla are proud parents to two beautiful rescued dogs.
Ira Deokule
Who wouldn't like ice cream for breakfast? That's right, no one.
And Queen Camilla proved this theory spectacularly when she made a beeline for a local ice cream trader at Conway Square, Newtownards, and went for a delicious cone without a second thought. While King Charles worked the crowd of 2,500 flag-waving well-wishers like the seasoned monarch he is, Camilla had already clocked the real VIP of the visit — a family trader with a 100-year-old recipe. The Queen took one look at that cone and made the best decision of the entire trip.
Ira Deokule
King Charles was presented with a sweet gift during his visit to The Warehouse. While it is unclear what the gift exactly was, it seemed like a collection of bumblebee-themed pins. Sweet gift indeed!
And the King looked beyond happy to receive the gift. Who wouldn't right?
Ira Deokule
Everyone remembers the moment when the late Queen Elizabeth chose to cut a cake with a large sword, instead of a knife. "This is something that is more unusual," she had quipped.
While they may not have opted for a sword, King Charles and Queen Camilla did cut a cake together at The Warehouse after meeting with the staff and volunteers there. And it certainly reminded fans of the beloved monarch's hilarious moment.
Ira Deokule
After trying to be a musician, King Charles took on the challenge to prepare a chocolate cake next!
The King and Queen visited The Warehouse, a former hub now transformed into a community hub that provides free food supplies, hot and take-home meals, skills classes, and access to free clothing and household essentials. Charles even helped out in the kitchen by stirring a pot full of gluten-free chocolate cake mix.
Ira Deokule
The Queen stopped to pose with the town's beloved Paddington Bear statue, Northern Ireland's only stop on the UK-wide Paddington Visits trail. Students clutching teddies turned out to greet her, making for one of the sweetest moments of the entire three-day royal visit.
Abha Anindita
It has been a rather musical tour for King Charles in Northern Ireland. On his first day in Belfast, he attempted to play the traditional Irish drum, the bodhran, and on his final day of the trip, he tried his hand at the ukulele. The King, who has always been inclined towards music and art, must have had a gala time in the past three days! And it showed in his wide grin!
Ira Deokule
Queen Camilla melted hearts during her visit to Conway Square in Newtownards, stopping to play with a puppy while greeting members of the public.
The moment was perfectly on brand for the Queen, who has long been known for her love of dogs. The puppy, for its part, seemed just as smitten.
Abha Anindita
Queen Camilla began her last day in Northern Ireland on a poignant note. She met with survivors of domestic abuse supported by Women's Aid in Newtownards. She thanked the staff and volunteers at the center in an impromptu speech, saying their work is "more important than ever". The monarch also met with agencies and organizations, including PSNI, food banks, and Community NI. "I think that’s what is needed all over the country. Thank you very much," she finished her speech to applause.
Ira Deokule
To start his final day in Northern Ireland, King Charles went to Ards Allotment, founded by owner Maurice, after watching the King visit an allotment on the news almost two decades ago. Gardening has always been one of Charles’ passions, and it was on display as he met with the community of volunteers, gardeners, and growers who use the Ards Allotment space to grow fresh produce and build social connections.
Ira Deokule