News
TRH visit Northern Ireland
19th May 2008
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visited Northern Ireland today.
For their first engagement of the day, Their Royal Highnesses visited one of Belfast's top restaurants to celebrate and promote local produce from Northern Ireland.
They were presented with a hamper after sampling produce from groups representing the benefits of sustainable local foods at Nick's Warehouse, a former bonded whiskey warehouse in the city's Cathedral Quarter.
Their Royal Highnesses were introduced to representatives of the North East Ireland Slow Food Convivium, part of a worldwide organisation which is committed to helping small scale and artisan food producers provide a wide diversity of fresh, nutritional, local produce while respecting the environment and dignity of the producer.
The Prince and The Duchess, who both have a passionate interest in food and local sourcing, met the restaurateur Nick Price who set up his business in 1989, in a formerly derelict but historic area of Belfast.
Robert Ditty, owner of a bakery visited by The Prince in 2004, and Peter Dunlop, of the Fivemiletown Creamery, visited by Their Royal Highnesses in 2006 were both present at the reception.
After chatting to guests, Their Royal Highnesses left for separate engagements. The Prince attended a conference on the built environment and gave a speech about the importance of heritage and regeneration in Northern Ireland.
The Duchess visited the Barnardo’s Parent and Children Together Centre, and met the Chairman of Barnardo’s in Northern Ireland, Lady May Blood, and the Director of the charity in Northern Ireland, Lynda Wilson, before meeting staff and mothers with their babies who live at the centre. Her Royal Highness then visited two playrooms to meet staff, parents and children.
Their Royal Highnesses later arrived at Hillsborough Castle where His Royal Highness conducted a brief investiture before they attended a garden party in the grounds.