OUT AND ABOUT WITH THE NEW KING AND QUEEN

King Charles and Queen Camilla have been very busy since their Coronation in May. We report on some of their main engagements, including an eventful 2-day trip to Northern Ireland and a winning time at Ascot races...

For their first official two-day visit to Northern Ireland as King and Queen (taken at the request of the British government), Their Majesties were greeted by hundreds of well-wishers at their first engagement in Newtownabbey, where they opened a new Coronation Garden, erected to mark King Charles’ ascension to the throne.

The King looked dapper in a blue suit and appeared in great spirits as he was met by royal fans of all ages in the beautiful garden, which was in full bloom.

They were welcomed by the Lord-Lieutenant of Co Antrim David McCorkell, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Stephen Ross and North Belfast MP John Finucane (Sinn Fein).

The couple were serenaded by school children and took some time to chat with the youngsters before officially opening the gates to the Coronation Garden.

Queen Camilla wore an elegant green Anna Valentine dress, which she paired with a pashmina for the occasion, and later wrapped up with a trench coat over her shoulders.

Meanwhile, an enthusiastic King Charles was spotted having a laugh with a member of the public attending the event and also chatted to the same children. After chatting with locals, the Royals stood in front of the gardens’ imposing white and blue gate, which had been propped with a large blue bow to mark the occasion of its opening.

DANCING TREES