Queen Camilla lands in Northern Ireland for official visit after a busy day of engagements

Queen Camilla lands in Northern Ireland for official visit after a busy day of engagements

WATCH NOW: Queen Camilla meeting crowds in Douglas, Isle of Man, earlier today

GB News
Dorothy Reddin

By Dorothy Reddin


Published: 20/03/2024

- 17:18

Updated: 20/03/2024

- 17:52

The Queen spent time in The Isle of Man before travelling to Northern Ireland today

Queen Camilla has landed in Northern Ireland for an official visit after a busy day of engagements.

Shortly after visiting the Isle of Man today, Camilla travelled to Northern Ireland where she was photographed arriving at Hillsborough Castle.


Queen Camilla will undertake engagements tomorrow in Northern Ireland, Buckingham Palace has said.

Earlier today, the Queen made a quick visit to the Isle on behalf of her husband King Charles, saying he was “so sorry” he could not be there himself to celebrate the “extremely special occasion”.

Queen Camilla

Queen Camilla pictured in Northern Ireland

Getty

She thanked residents for their “warm welcome” before reading out a speech prepared by the King which acknowledged the late Queen Elizabeth II.

It read: “The granting of your city status is particularly special to me, as your Letters Patent are the only ones in existence that hold both my signature and that of my late mother.

“Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, as you mark your well-deserved status as one of the newest cities in the British Isles, and the only one of the Crown Dependencies, I would like to offer on behalf of my wife and myself, my heartfelt congratulations and my very best wishes for the future.”

Crowds gathered to meet the Queen after she unveiled a City Hall plaque, handing her bouquets.

\u200bQueen Camilla

Queen Camilla arriving at Hillsborough Castle in Belfast

PA

After leaving the borough council, the Queen took an eight-minute drive to Government House in Onchan, the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor and his family, where she met with community groups including the RNLI, which was formed on the Isle of Man 200 years ago.

The Queen also met representatives from the Manx Bluetits swimming club and community groups.

The island’s Lieutenant Governor, Sir John Lorimer, and his wife, Lady Phillipa Lormier, live in the Government House.

King Charles has visited the Isle of Man on three occasions, but his last visit was in 2012 as the Prince of Wales, accompanied by Camilla.

Queen Camilla

Queen Camilla is expected to perform engagements tomorrow​

PA

The King has stepped back from public-facing duties following medical advice while he continues treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.

Crowds gathered ahead of the visit by Queen Camilla today as roads were blocked off from the early morning in preparation for the royal visit.

Children were pictured waiting eagerly for the Queen’s arrival and waving Union Jack flags.

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