The King and Queen in Northern Ireland

Tuesday 19th May

The King and Queen have arrived in Belfast for a visit to Northern Ireland. 

At Thompson Dock, the last place the Titanic stood on dry ground before her historic maiden voyage, Their Majesties joined a vibrant celebration of music, creativity and diverse cultural heritage, meeting performers involved in Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, which is coming to Belfast for the first time this August. The King and Queen met organisers and volunteers preparing to deliver the festival. 

Founded in 1951, the Fleadh is widely regarded as the world’s largest annual festival of traditional Irish music, song and dance. The landmark occasion, in August, will draw thousands of musicians, dancers and visitors to the city, placing a spotlight on the rich cultural traditions of Northern Ireland and Ireland. 

Their Majesties also visited Titanic Distillers, housed within the restored Edwardian pumphouse that once helped launch the most famous ship in the world. The King and Queen met distillery staff, learnt about the whisky‑making process and had the opportunity to sample some whisky, celebrating the blend of heritage, skill and enterprise that defines the distillery today.

Later, The King visited W5 LIFE (Learning Innovation for Everyone), an initiative dedicated to addressing the skills needs of Northern Ireland’s increasingly digitalised economy. As Belfast continues to establish itself as one of the UK’s most dynamic digital hubs - with a fast‑growing cluster of technology firms leading the way in cybersecurity and fintech - W5 LIFE plays a key role in preparing people for the opportunities of the future. 

During the visit, The King met young people who have benefited directly from W5 LIFE programmes. Working in partnership with The King’s Trust, Microsoft and Almac, W5 LIFE delivers practical training and career‑focused programmes designed to strengthen STEM skills and open pathways into digital careers. 

Alongside skills development, The King’s Trust in Northern Ireland supports young people facing barriers such as rural isolation and low confidence. The King will spent time with major local employers and joined local celebrity ambassadors for a series of hands‑on demonstrations exploring AI and robotics. 

These interactive sessions highlight the strong pipeline of talent emerging from Northern Ireland’s universities and training programmes, and the central role of the digital economy in the region’s continued growth and success.

Meanwhile, The Queen visited Fane Street Primary School, after she received a bundle of letters from pupils, warmly inviting Her Majesty to visit. The school is a vibrant and welcoming community, with 285 pupils representing 45 countries and speaking an impressive 47 different languages. 

Her Majesty saw the wide range of additional support the school provides beyond the classroom, including tailored programmes for families, such as parent support courses and assistance in accessing local GP services. With 19 per cent of pupils being refugees or asylum seekers, Fane Street Primary School recognises the importance of helping families who may be unfamiliar with how to navigate key services in Northern Ireland, alongside delivering a strong and inclusive education for its children. 

During the school assembly, The Queen joined pupils as they showcased their work, including arts, performances and literacy activities. Her Majesty met students, presented some awards and unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the visit.

To end the day, The King and Queen received the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland at Hillsborough Castle.

Wednesday 20th May

On a second day of engagements in Northern Ireland, The Queen visited local businesses and joined residents for a walkabout in Royal Hillsborough.

Just 12 miles from Belfast, Hillsborough is renowned for its Georgian architecture, historic village green and strong community identity. Home to Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, the official residence of the Royal Family when visiting Northern Ireland, the village was officially granted Royal status in 2021 - becoming the first village in Northern Ireland to receive the designation.

During the visit, Her Majesty spent time meeting the owners and staff of three much‐loved local businesses: the popular pub The Parson’s Nose, the village’s oldest shop, grocer ER Wilson, and Arthur’s Café. 

Meanwhile, The King visited Newcastle, County Down, a popular seaside town set at the foot of the Mourne Mountains and beneath Slieve Donard, the highest peak in Northern Ireland.

Renowned for its natural beauty, award‐winning promenade and strong sense of community, Newcastle serves as a gateway to the Mournes, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. His Majesty’s visit marks the first Royal visit to the town.

The King joined film enthusiasts and members of the local community at Newcastle Community Cinema. Founded in 2008 by a group of passionate local film lovers, the cinema has grown into far more than a cherished venue for regular screenings. Today, it sits at the heart of the town as a lively community hub, supporting activities ranging from sports groups to live performances and creative events. 

During the visit, The King spent time with staff, volunteers, visitors, artists and creatives who bring the space to life, including local actor Ian McElhinney. Though modest in size, the cinema reflects Newcastle’s strong community spirit and the founders’ vision of creating a multifunctional auditorium that is open, inclusive and shaped by local people.

After this, His Majesty travelled to Donard Methodist Church, where The King met the volunteers who established The Pantry Foodbank more than a decade ago. The initiative provides free food parcels and hot meals, offering vital support and dignity to families and isolated individuals.

Later in the afternoon, The King and Queen attended a Garden Party at Hillsborough Castle, where Their Majesties spoke to guests from across Northern Ireland’s voluntary and charitable sectors, who have made positive impacts within their communities.