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King and Queen on first visit to Northern Ireland this year

Mark SimpsonCommunity correspondent, BBC News NI
News imageReuters The Queen is on the left of the picture, she is wearing a light blue single breasted coat with a blue shawl. She is carrying a see-through umbrella. The King is on the right. He is wearing a grey suit with a pale lilac shirt. His tie is a pattern of pale grey and lilac. Reuters
King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend an event to mark Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann coming to Belfast in August

King 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 event today, the royal couple were greeted by Irish dancers and musicians.

'I don't think I slept last night'

News imageReuters Three Irish dancers can be seen on stage. Two wearing a black Irish dancing dress and another in purple. They are seen performing for King Charles and Queen Camilla who are picture on the right of them playing bodhran drums. Reuters
King Charles and Queen Camilla play bodhran drums which are traditional Irish instruments, as they watch Irish dancers perform

One of the musicians involved in the event admitted being extremely nervous before the performance for royalty.

"I don't think I slept last night," said Bronagh McClean, from County Down.

She helps to run Ards CCÉ (Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann), which means society for the musicians of Ireland.

"Bringing everybody together is what it's all about.

"When we work together we can create lovely music and friendships, and they're there forever," she said.

News imageBronagh McClean. She has long blonde hair, wearing a black blazer and black top with gold necklace. She is standing next to a banner featuring trad musicians reading 'Fleadh musician corner'.
Bronagh McClean helps to run Ards CCÉ (Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann) and said she was extremely nervous before the performance

Members of the Belfast Bands Forum got a surprise when the royal couple appeared.

Darren Leighton said: "The band members weren't briefed until this morning on who was coming. They didn't know until the King actually stepped out of the car."

The coming together of band music and traditional Irish music, in front of the royal couple, was for many the highlight of the event.

"The collaboration is working very well. It's great musically to see what can be done," said Maurice Brown, from the bands forum.

Just after the King and Queen left Titanic quarter for their next engagement, torrential rain began.

During the visit, it stayed mainly dry.

News imageMaurice Brown (left) and Darren Leighton (right). Maurice has short light brown hair, wearing a navy blazer, white shirt and navy and red tie with pin on the lapel. Darren and short dark brown hair, wearing a navy blazer, navy waistcoat, white shirt and blue, green and red tie. Crowds of people are behind them.
Maurice Brown (left) and Darren Leighton (right) from Belfast Bands Forum

It 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.

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.

News imagePacemaker The king is smiling widely while admiring a wooden sculpture of a harp, the Queen is holding a see-through umbrella and is talking to an older, white-haired man who has his back to the camera. Pacemaker

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.