Prince Charles said he was “moved” during a speech kicking off his and Camilla‘s two day tour of Northern Ireland ahead of the region’s centennial celebrations this summer.
The Northern Ireland Office welcomed the royal couple to Belfast on Tuesday for a series of engagements, tweeting, “Delighted to welcome TRHs The Prince of Wales & The Duchess of Cornwall as they commence a two-day visit to Northern Ireland.” Charles and Camilla began their visit with a stop at Belfast City Hall where they met with staff and historians to discuss the upcoming 100th anniversary celebrations, as Northern Ireland’s first Parliament was officially opened by Charles’s great-grandfather King George V on June 22, 1921. From there, they went on to speak with the Education Authority about the importance of the area’s youth workers, and met with a number of recipients of youth services to hear about the positive impact those initiatives have had on their lives. Camilla also spoke with the women’s steering group, visited a local silversmith’s workshop, and learned about how Belfast is working towards becoming recognized as an UNESCO City of Music.
While at City Hall, Charles delivered a speech in tribute to this younger generation of laborers and the work they’re doing to heal historical wounds between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom. “I cannot tell you how really inspiring it has been to hear of the tireless work being carried out by youth workers on all sides of the community, and I just wanted to take this opportunity, if I may, to pay a special tribute to your dedication and commitment to the cause of peaceful co-existence,” he said. “Whenever I visit this part of the world, I never cease to be profoundly moved by the work that is being done to heal the pain of the past, to bring understanding and reconciliation in the present, and to build hope for the future. All who love this very special part of the world can only wish you renewed strength of spirit and resolve as you take forward this work of such vital importance to these islands. So, thank you ladies and gentlemen for all you do.” Following this address, the future King headed over to Harland & Wolff shipyard to commemorate the city’s 160th anniversary of commercial shipbuilding, where he participated in a welding demonstration while wearing a hard hat and neon yellow safety vest.
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