Queen Camilla and King Charles.Photo:BRIAN LAWLESS/POOL/AFP via Getty
BRIAN LAWLESS/POOL/AFP via Getty
King CharlesandQueen Camillaare celebrating the best of Northern Ireland.
On Thursday morning, the King and Queen stepped out in Armagh for the second day of theirsurprise tripto the country. The visit is historic as Charles and Camilla’s first time in Northern Ireland since theircoronationon May 6, and their first official trip out of England since the crowning ceremony.
King Charles.Arthur Edwards - Pool/Getty
Arthur Edwards - Pool/Getty
Outside the cathedral, the King and Queen met schoolchildren — including two students with the same first names! Camilla Nowawakowska and Charles Murray, both 8, festively accessorized with paper crowns to meet the royal couple, which charmed Queen Camilla.
Queen Camilla.Arthur Edwards - Pool/Getty
“Goodness me, isn’t that funny, we’ve got the same names,” she said after the kids introduced themselves, according to theDaily Mail. “You’ve got very smart crowns on. They’re a little bit lighter than the one I had on. They look pretty cool with all the jewels.” Evidently impressed, she even brought over her husband to say hello.
Queen Camilla.Tim Rooke - Pool /Getty
Tim Rooke - Pool /Getty
For her own solo engagement, Camilla spread herongoing literacy missionat Armagh Robinson Library, spending time with school children and volunteers from Dementia Friendly Museums. The Queen also got to see Jonathan Swift’s copy of his classic text Gulliver’s Travels.
The couple came back together for a stop at Market Square for a Celebration of Culture. The festivities showcased Ulster-Scots, Irish, Chinese and South Asian cultures, and featured traditional music, song and dance. Charles also connected with reps from his charity The Prince’s Trust, while Camilla chatted with members of the Knit and Natter, which has raised over $86,000 for Breast Cancer and hospice care.
Queen Camilla and King Charles.Chris Jackson/Getty
Chris Jackson/Getty
In a lighthearted exchange, the royals seemed amused to meet characters representing legendary and historical characters associated with Armagh. They also tasted local delicacies and met artisanal food producers and performers plus members of the public.
King Charles.Chris Jackson/Getty
The King and Queen then traveled west to Enniskillen Castle, where they met people involved in the community, voluntary and heritage sectors in Fermanagh. The royal couple joined kids participating in the “The Kindness Postbox” campaign to write letters to nursing home residents who were also at the castle.
King Charles and Queen Camilla.Phil Noble - Pool/Getty
Phil Noble - Pool/Getty
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The King also met with reps from volunteer groups who pitched in with the Coronation Big Help Out, before he and Camilla moved to the waterfront. There, they gave a wave to members of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary year.
The Fermanagh’s Young Farmers Society also spoke to the royals and likely found easy rapport, as the couple is known to share a love of gardening and country life.
source: people.com
