Royal visit: Charles and Camilla arrive in Northern Ireland - BBC News

Royal visit: Charles and Camilla arrive in Northern Ireland

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The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall on a visit to Northern IrelandImage source, PA Media
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The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall met volunteers at the Superstars Cafe in Cookstown

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have arrived in Northern Ireland as part of the celebrations to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

The royal couple began Tuesday's visit in Cookstown, County Tyrone, where they were welcomed by 300 schoolchildren.

The prince and duchess visited Superstars Cafe, a charity working with young people with learning disabilities.

Superstars Cafe helps train and provide employment for about 20 young people.

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Members of Superstars Cafe entertained their royal visitors on Tuesday

Prince Charles and Camilla were shown the charity's horticulture work, furniture restoration and craft work before unveiling a plaque to mark the visit.

The royal couple also met local shop owners and members of the local community.

Hundreds of schoolchildren had lined a pedestrianised section of the town hoping to meet the royal couple on Tuesday.

Prince Charles then attended a reception with community groups at the historic Lissan House.

His Royal Highness met with people involved in the estate and saw first hand the extensive renovation work that has been undertaken at the 17th century country house.

The prince's next engagement was to help mark the 20th anniversary of Rural Support Northern Ireland.

He helped mark the anniversary at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise by cutting a cake and unveiling a plaque to mark the milestone.

Rural Support was established in 2002 and provides a range of services for farmers and farming families across Northern Ireland.

Separately, the Duchess of Cornwall met staff, volunteers and partners at a Women's Aid refuge.

The duchess met members involved in the Starfish project that helps provide support to victims of domestic abuse who are leaving their housing support services.

Image source, Brian Morrison/Northern Ireland Office
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The Prince of Wales, who is the patron of The Queen's Green Canopy, planted a tree as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in the gardens of Hillsborough Castle

Prince Charles' next engagement saw him meet with students supported by The Prince's Foundation before going on to plant a tree in the gardens of Hillsborough Castle.

The Prince of Wales, who is the patron of The Queen's Green Canopy, planted the tree as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

This is his Royal Highnesses' first visit to Royal Hillsborough since the County Down village was granted royal status last year, Clarence House have said.

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Large crowds of schoolchildren gathered to catch a glimpse of the royal couple in County Tyrone

Prince Charles and Camilla are at the start of a four-day visit to the island of Ireland.

The royal couple last came to Northern Ireland in May 2021.

They will carry out a series of engagements throughout the trip, both separately and together.

In February, the Queen, who is 95, became the first British monarch to reach the milestone of 70 years on the throne.

She was due to visit Northern Ireland last October but cancelled the trip on medical grounds.