King Charles laughed off an unfortunate incident when a seagull defecated on his jacket during a visit to the seaside town of Newcastle, County Down, in Northern Ireland. The 77-year-old monarch was leaving a food bank project when the bird struck from above, leaving a noticeable white smear on the back of his suit.
A royal aide discreetly pointed out the mark and offered his overcoat, but the King smilingly waved off the offer and insisted on plunging into the cheering crowds for an impromptu walkabout, as they had been waiting for so long. When a member of the public politely asked if he knew about the bird dropping, Charles laughed and said: 'No, it's fine. At least it didn't land on my head!'
Separate Engagements
The King and Queen went their separate ways on the second day of their three-day visit to Northern Ireland. While Charles visited Newcastle, Queen Camilla enjoyed a stroll through the village of Hillsborough, home to Hillsborough Castle.
King's Visit to Newcastle
The King's first stop was the Newcastle Community Cinema, founded in 2008 by local film enthusiasts. He was given a special 'VIP' ticket by Vera Edelstein at the box office. 'Is that for me?' he beamed. 'That's very generous of you.' He then helped start a trailer for the film A Quiet Love, about a deaf couple living through the Troubles. Meeting the couple, John and Agnes Carberry, he told them: 'You were very courageous. When did you meet? At school? Oh childhood sweethearts. Lovely.'
He also met Northern Irish actor Ian McElhinney, known for Derry Girls and Game of Thrones. Afterwards, he visited the Donard Methodist Church to meet volunteers from The Pantry Food Bank, making them laugh as he examined the contents of their boxes. Seizing a toilet roll, he declared: 'Very important.' The group provides food for around 52 families a month and fears growing demand due to rising heating oil prices.
Charles helped pack a box for a single person, carefully placing bread, fresh fruit, vegetables, a toothbrush, and toothpaste. 'I'm sure there is a special order they go in,' he mused. 'Oh that needs to lie down properly. Very, very important,' he added, placing more toilet roll inside. He praised the volunteers: 'You are all very, very special people. What you do is so important.'
After meeting community groups including the RNLI and Mountain Rescue, he embarked on a walkabout, with people shouting 'God Save The King'. Among them was Rosemary Allan, about to celebrate her 102nd birthday, and schoolboy George Murdoch, 11, who brought a box of freshly-laid eggs for the monarch.
Queen Camilla in Hillsborough
The Queen pulled a perfect pint of Guinness at The Parson's Nose pub in Hillsborough, earning applause from staff. 'It's a bit early to drink. I'll leave it here until later,' she laughed. She insisted that the King was the real expert: 'I'm not quite the expert, my husband pulls a very good pint.'
She marvelled at the number of local businesses packed into the small village and said she was delighted to finally visit, having stayed 'just up the road' at the castle many times. She met staff at the pub, including waitress Ellie, 19, joking: 'Gosh, you must have come in your pushchair.'
Camilla then met representatives from various local businesses, including a pilates studio, a travel agency, and a jeweller. She told Andrea Lucas of All Active Pilates and Physio: 'I used to do some dancing but I've taken to doing ballet for old people. It's called the Silver Swans.'
At Oasis Travel, she asked: 'Are people whizzing about all over the place?' Founder Sandra Corkin said it was good to get away for wellbeing, prompting the Queen to reply: 'I couldn't agree more. We all need a bit of vitamin D.'
She later visited grocer ER Wilson, where she admired the strawberries and flowers. Outside, children from a local primary school serenaded her with A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman. 'Really lovely, thank you very much,' she said before shaking hands with residents.
The Queen wished a happy ninth birthday to a girl named Amelia and asked if she would have cake. She also met two-year-old twin boys, saying of her own 16-year-old twin grandsons: 'I've got twins, they're a bit bigger, my grandsons.' Her final stop was Arthur's Café, where she chatted with staff and regulars.
