King Charles and Queen Camilla are expected to arrive in Armagh on Thursday morning on the second day of their visit to Northern Ireland.
It’ll be the King’s first visit to the city in his role as head of the monarchy. He was last in Co Armagh in 2021 – then Prince Charles – when he was given a tour of Slieve Gullion Forest Park.
Charles is expected to meet community groups in and around the city centre, with Market Street closed off, just like it was 23 years ago when he officially opening the Market Place Theatre.
Prince Charles greets the crowds in Armagh for his visit in 2000. Photo by Vincent Loughran
The visit has prompted a major security event around the city, and comes in the same month millions watched on as he and wife Camilla were coronated.
Police are advising motorists and the general public that some disruption should be expected in Armagh from 7pm this evening, Wednesday, due to the event in the city tomorrow.
There will be some road closures in place.
This will affect the Abbey Street, Castle Street, Cathedral Close, Callan Street and Market Street areas until early afternoon on Thursday, May 25
In Pictures: 23 years on from Prince Charles’s official opening of Armagh Theatre
Earlier today, Charles and Camilla visited Hazelbank Park in Co Antrim where 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).
They took time to speak to members of the public and school children before officially opening the gates to the Coronation Garden.
The King and Queen went on to Hillsborough Castle, the royal residence in Northern Ireland, where they met Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris before attending a garden party where DCI John Caldwell was in attendance, as he continues his recovery from an attempted murder bid earlier this year.
The King and Queen are expected in Armagh shortly after 9am on Thursday.
