Queen Camilla brought traffic to a standstill in Royal Hillsborough, County Down, as she poured a pint of Guinness and met hundreds of well-wishers during a walkabout on Wednesday. The event marked the second day of the King and Queen's visit to Northern Ireland.
Behind the Bar at Parson's Nose
Camilla began her engagements at the Parson's Nose pub and restaurant, where she met staff before being invited to pour a pint of stout. Moving behind the bar, she quipped, "I'm not quite the expert, but my husband is," before receiving a round of applause for what appeared to be a perfectly poured pint of Guinness.
Meeting Local Entrepreneurs
After her bartending debut, the Queen met several local entrepreneurs and viewed their business creations. She then visited ER Wilson, the oldest shop in Hillsborough, where she was presented with flowers.
Crowds Line the Streets
Word of Camilla's presence spread quickly, and hundreds of people lined the barriers along the main street. She took time to shake hands with many who had gathered, and enjoyed a performance from the choir of a local special school, chatting with the young singers afterward.
Visit to Arthur's Coffee House
Camilla then walked to Arthur's Coffee House, where she met staff, customers, and local residents. She participated in another walkabout, receiving flowers and acknowledging cheers from the crowd. She also spoke with uniformed members of the Hillsborough Fort Guard, which was restored to full strength last year for the first time in 130 years.
Heartwarming Encounters
Among those she met was Alexandra Black and her three-year-old daughter Joanna Black. Ms Black said, "We got to meet the Queen, she thanked us for coming out to see her. Joanna was delighted that the Queen actually made a point of coming down the road to see us." She added that they gave Camilla a bouquet from the same farm that supplied flowers for the coronation, saying, "We wanted to keep up that connection."
Another well-wisher, who traveled from Tobermore, said, "We had to leave at 7am this morning to make sure we got here on time, it was well worth it. She was absolutely lovely."
Local Officials Delighted
Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh Amanda Grehan introduced Camilla to local traders, saying, "It is absolutely fantastic to see the Queen coming to see us here in Royal Hillsborough. We are thrilled. My theme this year is 'a city which sees everyone' and today our Queen saw everyone."
Lynne McCabe, owner of Arthur's Coffee House, expressed her delight at the visit: "As the host, I was introducing her to all of our loyal customers and our team here. She was very keen to meet the traders here in the village. It was lovely to see her here."
Hillsborough, home to the royal residence Hillsborough Castle, was officially granted the "Royal" prefix by Letters Patent in October 2021.
