Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Kate Middleton and Prince William arrive at Belfast City Hall this morning Niall Carson/PA Wire via PA images
will and kate

Will and Kate make first stop on Northern Ireland day trip

The couple went to Belfast City Hall for the first in a number of engagements today.

PRINCE WILLIAM AND his fiancée Kate Middleton have arrived in Northern Ireland.

Belfast City Hall was the first stop during their visit, and they were accompanied by the NI Secretary of State Owen Paterson. They were greeted by a small crowd waiting outside, some of whom were waving flags.

Police sealed off streets and diverted traffic as part of a huge security operation for the couple’s first visit to Northern Ireland.

At the city hall they were met by Lord Mayor Pat Convery and Dame Mary Peters, a former Olympic pentathlon athletics champion who is now the lord lieutenant of Belfast, BBC News Northern Ireland reports.

The couple arrived in the second car of an eight car cavalcade and had a private meeting with the lord mayor and Belfast City Council chief executive Peter McNaney. They went on to meet the council’s good relations unit, representatives from some of NI’s political parties and the charity ‘Peace Players International’, before being presented with a framed photograph of City Hall and a book on the architectural history of the 105-year old building.

They followed this with some pancake-flipping at an event organised outside the City Hall by the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children.

The couple will go on to a number of other engagements organised for their visit.

Will and Kate make first stop on Northern Ireland day trip
1 / 13
  • William and Kate visit Northern Ireland

    Prince William flips a pancake as Belfast's Lord Mayor Pat Convery looks on at a display by the charity Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children outside Belfast City Hall during a visit to Northern Ireland.
  • William and Kate visit Northern Ireland

    Britain's Prince William and his bride-to-be Kate Middleton pictured at Belfast City Hall during their visit to Northern Ireland.
  • William and Kate visit Northern Ireland

    Prince William accompanied by Kate Middleton, meet The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Patrick McConvery (left), at Belfast City Hall with Dame Mary Peters DBE (right).
  • William and Kate visit Northern Ireland

    Prince William accompanied by Kate Middleton, meet The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Patrick McConvery (2nd right), in Belfast City Hall with Dame Mary Peters DBE (right).
  • William and Kate visit Northern Ireland

    Kate Middleton is greeted on the runway by Dame Mary Peters at George Best Belfast City Airport this morning at the start of a one day visit to Northern Ireland.
  • William and Kate visit Northern Ireland

    Prince William looks on as Kate Middleton flips a pancake at a display by the charity Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children outside Belfast City Hall during their visit to Northern Ireland.
  • William and Kate visit Northern Ireland

    Kate Middleton flips a pancake with Ellie Tang, 6, at a display by the charity Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children outside Belfast City Hall during their visit to Northern Ireland.
  • William and Kate visit Northern Ireland

    Prince William and his bride-to-be Kate Middleton arrive at George Best Belfast City Airport this morning at the start of their one day visit to Northern Ireland. They were greeted on the runway by Secterary of State for Northern Ireland Owen Patterson (right) and Dame Mary Peters (2nd right).
  • William and Kate visit Northern Ireland

    Kate Middleton meets members of the crowd outside Belfast City Hall during a visit to Northern Ireland.
  • William and Kate visit Northern Ireland

    Prince William waves to well wishers outside Belfast City Hall during a visit to Northern Ireland.
  • William and Kate visit Northern Ireland

    Prince William and and Kate Middleton are seen outside Belfast City Hall during their visit to Northern Ireland.
  • William and Kate visit Northern Ireland

    Kate Middleton flips a pancake with Ellie Tang, 6, at a display by the charity Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children outside Belfast City Hall during their visit to Northern Ireland.
  • William and Kate visit Northern Ireland

    Kate Middleton greets members of the crowd outside Belfast City Hall during their visit to Northern Ireland. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday March 8, 2011. A small crowd gathered in the bright sunshine inside the grounds of City Hall in the hope of a walkabout after police sealed off streets and diverted traffic as part of a huge security operation for the couple's first visit to Northern Ireland. See PA story ULSTER Royal. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA

Read more on the BBC News Northern Ireland site>