- The royal couple enjoyed a full day of engagements in Belfast on Wednesday
- READ MORE: King Charles and Queen Camilla's historic state visit to Italy WILL go ahead next month - despite fears over the Pope's health
King Charles and Queen Camilla warmed their cockles with a little drink as they arrived in Belfast on a whirlwind trip of Northern Ireland.
The royals arrived in the Irish capital on Wednesday in preparation for a series of afternoon engagements, which included meeting local hospitality workers and touring a sports complex and women's community centre.
The couple beamed as they stepped out into the March sunshine, with Camilla, 77, opting for a festive bottle green dress on the week in which people around the world celebrated St Patrick's Day.
Charles, 76, looked dashing in a navy blue pinstripe and royal blue tie with tiny crosses emblazoned on the front.
Embracing the mild March weather, both appeared to shed their coats before setting foot on the historic street, where well wishers greeted the royal couple with an armful of daffodils.
They were greeted by music from a sea shanty band and met dignitaries including Sinn Fein MP John Finucane. Jim Ingram, manager of Friend of Hand Whiskey Shop, handed the King a celebratory bottle.
The Causeway Shantymen performed 'Drunken Sailor' to their royal guests. Greeting the 20 performers Charles joked: 'You are only here for the whiskey anyway.'
As Camilla paused to admire the daffodils, she carefully plucked one and tucked it into Charles's lapel, adding a vibrant touch that made the monarch look perfectly suited for spring.
King Charles and Queen Camilla appeared in high spirits today as they arrived in Belfast for a day trip to Northern Ireland (pictured on Wednesday)
The royals arrived in the Irish capital on Wednesday in preparation for a series of afternoon engagements, which included meeting local hospitality workers and touring a sports complex and women's community centre
The two were pictured arriving at Commercial Court located in the heart of Belfast, where seen romantically ambling along the historic cobbled alleyway.
Dotted with eye-catching red benches and colourful umbrellas strung between buildings, Commercial Court is famed for its stunning visuals and was even awarded Belfast's 'most beautiful street' in 2022.
Charles and Camilla were pictured sharing an intimate conversation on Commercial Court road as they stood below the striking sky of multicoloured umbrellas.
The monarch hailed the spirit of 'keeping on going' as he and his wife celebrated the local cultural and community of Belfast by downing a dram of whiskey - although it looked slightly too strong for Camilla's palate.
They were greeted by a number of locals, including those representing tourism, hospitality and the arts in the area. They also met with creator of the city's famous umbrellas.
Strolling down one of the city's most historic entries, the royal duo were led by Willie Jack, who has been part of Belfast's hospitality workforce for more than four decades, and who was awarded an MBA for her services to the industry.
Willie and his wife, Joanne have worked to collaborate with neighbouring businesses in run-down areas to grow a bustling and vibrant spot for locals and tourists alike.
As they chatted with locals, one well wisher offered Camilla a bunch of daffodils which she was pictured lovingly admiring.
The pair were picture smiling cheekily at once another as they clinked their glasses before sampling the drinks
During the visit to Commercial Court, the pair paused for a pit stop at a local pub, The Friend at Hand, where they were treated to whiskey tasting
The royal couple beamed as they stopped to chat with members of the public
The pair were pictured sharing a sweet moment as Camilla adjusted a daffodil in his lapel
Charles and Camilla were greeted by a number of locals, including those representing tourism, hospitality and the arts in the area. They also met with creator of the city's famous umbrellas
Charles visited Belfast's Newforge Sports Complex and Event Hub, where Police Service of Northern Ireland's (PSNI) Athletic Association is situated, along with a number of police dedicated sports clubs
The king was pictured sharing a joke with locals as he visited a sport club in Northern Ireland today
The couple were pictured arriving at Commercial Court located in the heart of Belfast, where they ambled along the historic cobbled alleyway
During the visit to Commercial Court, the pair paused for a pit stop at a local pub, The Friend at Hand, where they visited the tasting room and were treated to a selection of whiskeys.
The two were picture smiling cheekily at once another as they clinked their glasses before sampling the drinks.
They then headed down to Sea Holly Gallery, which was founded in 2019 to help promote the work of artists from across Northern Ireland.
Meandering through the gallery, the royals were treated to the sounds of traditional Irish music and they admired the work of local painters.
They were shown paintings of locals included barbers, police officers and a window cleaner. They chatted to the locals who say for their portraits during the tour.
Circus performers Professor H and Igor - who run the nearby 'Circusfall' clown school for children and adults - put on an acrobatic stunt which impressed the royal couple.
Speaking afterwards Professor H, real name Hillias Smith, said: 'The King said keeping on going does you good.'
The King and Queen then unveiled a plaque to make their visit.
The royals met Emma Little-Pengelly, deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland (pictured left) on the first day of their trip
Charles and Camilla pictured shaking hands with Michelle O'Neill, First Minister of Northern Ireland at Hillsborough Castle
Charles pictured sitting down with the First Minister of Northern Ireland
The royal coupled smiled during their visit to Hillsborough Castle
Camilla pictured unveiling a plague during a visit to the Sea Holly Gallery
Charles and Camilla stopped for a whiskey tasting at The Friend at Hand
The monarch was pictured chatting with members of the public on Wednesday
The couple then headed to to Sea Holly Gallery, which was founded in 2019 to help promote the work of artists from across Northern Ireland (pictured)
Charles chatted with people at the portrait gallery
Charles and Camilla were pictured strolling down Commercial Court street
Charles waved to well wishers as he arrived in Belfast
While pulling back the cover, the King joked: 'It looks like a doily it's probably needed on a table.'
Next, Charles visited Belfast's Newforge Sports Complex and Event Hub, where Police Service of Northern Ireland's (PSNI) Athletic Association is situated, along with a number of police dedicated sports clubs.
The centre works to promote community development and to provide a space for police officers to enjoy playing sports.
It offers a wide variety of sports, including rugby, football, hockey and gaelic, of which the royal couple had the chance to observe during their visit to the centre.
During the stop, Charles spoke to representatives from Ulster Rugby, the Irish Football Association and Gaelic Athletic Association to hear of the collaborative work between Newforge and PSNI.
Once inside, the King was given a tour of the complex, which includes state-of the-art fitness centre and multi-purpose rooms.
The facility has also been decked out from equipment from BLK BOX, which is a local Northern Irish run company that previously received the first ever King's Award for Enterprise in International Trade in 2023.
The 76-year-old monarch was then invited to mark the visit by unveiling a plaque in the centre.
Dotted with eye-catching red benches and colourful umbrellas strung between buildings, Commercial Court is famed for it's stunning visuals and was even awarded Belfast's 'most beautiful street' in 2022 (pictured)
Charles drew the visit to the sports centre to a close by presenting awards to local PSNI officers who have been recognised for supporting their peers as Peer Support and Wellbeing Volunteers.
Meanwhile, Camilla visited Atlas (Adult Training Learning and Support) Women's Centre, which is a community centre that provides supports to local women, to hear about their work.
In particular, the centre delivers support for women who are suffering at the hands of domestic violence, an issue that is close to the Queen's heart.
The centre supports women by offering a variety of services including courses, workshops, counselling, childcare and support groups.
She had the chance to join the Stitching and Sewing Group, where she was able to hear directly from the women who have benefited from the community.
Camilla hailed a domestic violence survivor' and lamented over being 'too busy' these days to carry on her watercolour painting hobby.
Shown watercolours painted by members, she said: 'I used to do it a lot but I don't have the time now.'
Women at Atlas, which is celebrating its fourteenth anniversary, also made hundreds of scrubs for nurses dealing with patients during Covid.
The visit follows the news yesterday that Charles and Camilla still plan to go ahead with next month's State Visits to the Holy See and Italy despite continuing fears over the Pope's health
Camilla, in a green coat dress by Anna Valentine, said: 'My goodness they were needed.'
She also heard stories from five women in private who take part in the Domestic Abuse & Violence Programme.
And watched a performance from the centre's sign language ukulele band the 'Sing, Sign, Strum' group.
The group learned how to sign and play the ukulele and Camilla told them their performance was 'very professional'.
They performed 'You are my sunshine' and got a huge round of applause from the Queen.
In the Stitching and Sewing class, Liz Docherty, 65, told the Queen she fled an abusive relationship in Scotland and joined Atlas around ten years ago
She told Camilla: 'I had to get away, I wasn't safe.' The Queen asked 'and your life changed?'
Liz replied: 'Only now I can talk about it'. And the Queen said: 'You can always use your circumstances to talk to others.'
In an impromptu speech after unveiling a plaque, Camilla described Atlas as a 'very happy place'.
And added: 'I think it should be cloned.'
She signed the visitor's book but struggled with the date and asked 'what is it?' before adding March 19th to her message.
Despite huge secrecy surrounding any royal visit to Northern Ireland, locals discovered the Queen was visiting and dozens arrived outside.
The Queen then went on a walkabout greeting and thanking well-wishers.
They included Geoffrey Mitchell, of Guide Dogs UK, and his puppy Raymond who is training to be a guide dog.
He said afterwards: 'She said she loved dogs and Raymond could probably smell her new puppy.'
Emma Little-Pengelly, deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, chatted with the royal couple
Afterwards Liz, who describes herself as a 'survivor' said: 'It was a privilege for her to come here and acknowledge all of what we do as for a lot of us it's a home from home.
'A lot of us have mental health issues but we come together and have a laugh and do something good.
'It was helpful for me to share my story with the Queen.'
For many years, Camilla has campaigned against domestic abuse, and has spoken extensively on the topic, speaking to survivors and supporting the bid to raise awareness and end violence against women.
The visit follows the news yesterday that Charles and Camilla still plan to go ahead with next month's State Visits to the Holy See and Italy despite continuing fears over the Pope's health.
Giving further details of the visit, Buckingham Palace said the 'significant and historic' trip would take place from April 7-10, celebrating warm UK-Italian bilateral relations generally but also a major development in the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Church of England.
He will also become the first British monarch since the Reformation - which saw Britain formally break from Rome under Henry VIII in 1534 - to visit the Papal Basilica of 'St Paul's Outside the Walls', said to be the resting place of Paul the Apostle.
Earlier this week the Vatican issued the first photograph of Pope Francis since he was admitted to hospital a month ago, where he has been treated for double pneumonia and other infections.
The 88-year-old has also suffered several respiratory crises, giving rise to fears he would not survive.
His condition now is said to be stable.
A senior palace aide said yesterday that matters looked 'more positive' and shared 'our hopes and prayers that Pope Francis's health will enable to visit to go ahead.'
Indeed, the King will be given the rare honour of a special ecumenical service in the iconic Sistine Chapel, featuring choirs from both the Holy See and Royal chapels in the UK.
It is understood that King Charles personally wrote to Pope Francis when he was first taken ill.
Sources confirmed that 'subject to Pope Francis' health' the visit would go ahead as proposed, although it was understood that officials were ready to 'modify' plans should his ability to participate be affected.
'It will be a truly historic visit, reflecting that mutual respect between Pope Francis and His Majesty as Head of State, as well as the deep friendship between the Anglican Church and the Roman Catholic Church,' a royal aide added.
