King Charles and Queen Camilla concluded their three-day visit to Northern Ireland on Friday by making a poignant visit to Banbridge. The King and Queen greeted wellwishers as hundreds of people packed the streets, waving flags and bearing bouquets and other gifts in the hope of catching a glimpse of the royals.
Two ukulele bands from Banbridge and Lisburn played Rockin’ All Over The World as Charles and Camilla were greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of County Down, Gawn Rowan Hamilton, upon their arrival. At Banbridge Old Town Hall, Charles met representatives from the Game Of Thrones experience, the owner of a gift shop, local bakers and linen makers. It was revealed that the monarch had not watched the hugely popular series but was “keen” to understand what its contribution to the local community was. Many scenes of the fantasy show were filmed in Northern Ireland.
Sam Harding, managing director of the Game Of Thrones Studio Tour, said it was “a very good day for the area and for the business”.
Mr Harding said he explained to the King that what is now a tourist attraction was the location for the popular series, and it was a family-run linen mill before that.
He told the Press Association: “He was really easy to talk to and very pleasant.”
“He is aware of Game Of Thrones, hadn’t watched it himself but was really keen to understand what the business was like and the contribution to the local community. We asked if he’d seen the show, and he said no, he hadn’t had the time to do it. But we told him it was eight seasons long if he did want to give it a go.”
Camilla visited Banbridge Library and listened in while Peanut Gets His Sparkle Back, written by local author Kate Russell who was present, was read to children.
Twelve students from year three at Abercorn Primary School performed the nursery rhyme Clippety Clop for Camilla and showed her coloured-in drawings of horses.
Camilla presented the library with a plush dog for the children’s reading time. She also met members of a monthly book club, where she was asked about her reading habits.
The Queen said: “When I have a break, I have a book in my hand. I like an actual book, yes. I like turning down the pages.
At the town hall, Camilla was given a bouquet of pink cupcakes by Nikki McDonald, general manager of The Windsor Bakery, which opened the year of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.
As the couple departed from the town hall, Charles was presented a ceramic artwork of St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh by Deputy Lord Mayor Kyle Savage.
The royal couple were then told about the history of the Co Down town and briefed on its famous bridge built in 1835.
Before concluding their visit to the region, they shook hands with members of the public, accepting gifts and flowers and petting a few dogs as children wearing paper crowns waved flags.
Over their three-day visit, Charles was briefed on research into cancer therapies at the Ulster University campus in Coleraine, while Camilla took part in a cookery demonstration at a farm near Limavady with celebrity chef Paula McIntyre.
The Charles and Camilla stand on the Rathfriland Street bridge as they look over Bridge Street in Banbridge (Liam McBurney/PA)They met farmers, artists, acrobats and sea shanty singers during the visit, as well as Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn, First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly.
