ROYAL VISIT: market stop-off for Prince Charles in trip to Co Down
Last updated 19th May 2021
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall took a trip to the seaside as they continued their stay in Northern Ireland.
The Royal couple visited Bangor where they were greeted by local schoolchildren from Bangor Central Integrated Primary School and Bangor Central Nursery School.
Charles and Camilla were welcomed by the Mayor of Ards and North Down, Trevor Cummings, before taking time to talk to the children and a large number of well-wishers who had gathered.
They then toured the town's historic open-air market, which is in its 97th year, and met with various stallholders while inspecting the range of locally sourced produce on sale.
Charles heard about how the local council has restored the site and spoke to several stall holders about their products.
He later travelled to nearby Donaghadee where he viewed stones decorated with messages of hope, lining the harbour walls.
The stones were placed there by members of the public during the Covid-19 pandemic and have become a local attraction.
Charles also met with the crew of the lifeboat that is based at the picturesque Co Down harbour.
He then unveiled a plaque on the harbour front to commemorate the bicentenary of the Royal Charter of Donaghadee Harbour and the laying of the harbour's foundation stone.
The prince then embarked on an impromptu walkabout to greet some of the hundreds of people who gathered on the seafront to welcome the heir to the throne.
He elbow-bumped several well-wishers as he stopped to speak to local people.
Earlier in the day Charles and Camilla met with staff at Hillsborough Castle and signed the visitors' book before leaving.
The royal couple are on the final day of their Northern Ireland visit.
On Tuesday they undertook a series of engagements and Charles hailed tireless work'' for reconciliation in Belfast.
Charles also followed in his late father's footsteps by visiting the Harland and Wolff shipyard and became the first member of the royal family in recent history to visit South Armagh.
The royal couple also met First Minister Arlene Foster at Hillsborough Castle.