Royal Visit to Belfast
King Charles III and Queen Camilla have arrived in Belfast for their first visit to Northern Ireland in 2024.
Their initial engagement was at an event held in the Titanic Quarter of Belfast, celebrating the city’s role as host of this year’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, the world’s largest festival of Irish music and dance.
Scheduled for August, this will mark the first occasion that Belfast has hosted the festival.
At the event launch, the royal couple were welcomed by performances from Irish dancers and musicians.
King’s History of Visits
This marks the 43rd visit by King Charles III to Northern Ireland, encompassing his time as Prince of Wales and now as monarch.
On Monday, it was announced that the King is expected to make his first visit to the Republic of Ireland since ascending to the throne. While no official date has been confirmed, the visit is anticipated to occur next year.
The invitation for this visit was extended by Irish President Catherine Connolly, who is currently undertaking an official visit to England.
King Charles’s late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, made a historic state visit to Ireland in 2011, the first by a British monarch since Irish independence.
The King’s initial visit to Northern Ireland took place in 1961 alongside his mother, father the Duke of Edinburgh, and sister Princess Anne.
Between 2002 and 2023, he visited Northern Ireland annually until his cancer diagnosis in 2024. Since then, his treatment has been reduced and he is reported to be recovering well.
Recent Engagements and Queen Camilla’s Visits
In March 2023, the King met Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly during a visit that included a city centre trip featuring whiskey tasting.
This current visit to Belfast is Queen Camilla’s 24th. She made 19 visits when she was Duchess of Cornwall and visited alone in March 2024 following her husband’s cancer diagnosis.
The royal couple were welcomed on this occasion by John Walsh, chief executive of Belfast City Council, and Lord Mayor Tracy Kelly, who was performing one of her final official duties.
