King and Queen on first visit to Northern Ireland this year

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. King and Queen on first visit to Northern Ireland this year6 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GooglePA MediaKing Charles III and Queen Camilla attend an event to mark Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann coming to Belfast in AugustKing Charles III and Queen Camilla have arrived in Belfast on their first visit to Northern Ireland this year. First stop for the royal couple was an event at the Titanic Quarter of Belfast to celebrate the city hosting this year's Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, which is the world's largest festival of Irish music and dance. Due to be held in August, it will be the first time the city has hosted the festival.

At the launch for the event today, the royal couple were greeted by Irish dancers and musicians. ReutersKing Charles and Queen Camilla play bodhran drums which are traditional Irish instruments, as they watch Irish dancers performIt is the 43rd time that he has visited Northern Ireland, first as Prince of Wales and now as King. On Monday, it was announced that he is due to make his first visit to the Republic of Ireland since he became the King.

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No date has been confirmed but it is expected to take place next year. The invitation came from Irish President Catherine Connolly, who is currently on an official visit to England. The King's mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, paid a state visit to Ireland in 2011, the first by a British monarch since Irish independence.

The first visit by the King to Northern Ireland was back in 1961 with his mother, his father the Duke of Edinburgh and his sister Princess Anne. Between 2002 and 2023, he visited Northern Ireland every year before his cancer diagnosis in 2024. His treatment has since been reduced and he is said to be recovering well.

The King, 77, last year met Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly during a visit in March which included a trip to the city centre for some whiskey-tasting. The latest visit to Belfast is the 24th by Queen Camilla. She made 19 visits when she was Duchess of Cornwall.

In March 2024, after her husband's cancer diagnosis, she came alone. The royal couple were welcomed to Belfast on their latest visit by John Walsh, chief executive of the city council. Also in attendance was the Lord Mayor Tracy Kelly, in one of her final official duties in the role.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.