King Charles delighted onlookers as he strummed a ukulele during a visit to a community allotment in Newtownards, County Down, on the final day of his Northern Ireland tour.
The King joined members of the Loughries Men’s Shed Ukulele Ensemble, who performed traditional folk songs and shanties. He played along for over a minute before chatting with the group, who invited him to their next rehearsal.
The Ards Allotments, now home to more than 100 plots, were founded by Maurice Patton over two decades ago after he saw the then-Prince of Wales visiting a similar site on television. Mr Patton and his wife Judith welcomed the King on Thursday, guiding him through the community space near Strangford Lough.
Charles met volunteers, gardeners, and growers, including holders of plots run by NHS workers and Decorum NI, an organisation supporting former security forces personnel from the Troubles. He observed how the allotments foster both food cultivation and social connections.
Plot-holder Amy Kelly, who has had a plot for almost a decade, said the King was genuinely interested in the plants and wildlife. She noted he asked whether one could grow enough food to feed oneself on an allotment, and was impressed when she answered yes.
