London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Oct 22, 2025

King Charles III says Queen prayed for Northern Ireland

King Charles III says Queen prayed for Northern Ireland

On his first visit to Northern Ireland as King, Charles III said his mother "never ceased to pray for the best of times for this place and its people".

The King also received a message of condolence from the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Sinn Féin's Alex Maskey said the Queen recognised how a "small but significant gesture can make a huge difference in changing attitudes".

The royal couple spent just over four hours in Northern Ireland.

Their first engagement was at Hillsborough Castle, the only royal residence in Northern Ireland, which has been a focal point for floral tributes to the late Queen.

The King and Camilla, the Queen Consort, met well-wishers in the County Down village, before the King held a private meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris and senior representatives from Stormont's political parties.

The royal couple then travelled into Belfast for a service in St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast.


Irish address from speaker


Speaking at Hillsborough Castle, the King said the late Queen had seen momentous and historic changes throughout her long reign.

"My mother felt deeply, I know, the significance of the role she herself played in bringing together those who history had separated and extending a hand to make possible the healing of long-held hurts," he said.

"Now, with that shining example before me, and with God's help, I take up my new duties resolved to seek the welfare of all the inhabitants of Northern Ireland."

Starting his speech in Irish, Mr Maskey, Sinn Féin's longest-serving elected representative, said: "Ba mhaith liom comhbhrón a dhéanamh leat ag an am crua seo (I would like to sympathise with you at this difficult time).

"It's extraordinary to consider how much social and political change Queen Elizabeth witnessed... throughout her long reign.

"Yesterday an assembly of unionists, republicans, nationalists and those for whom the Constitution is not a main focus united to pay tribute to the late Queen.

"When she first came to the throne, no one would have anticipated an assembly so diverse and inclusive."

King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort arrived at Belfast City Airport


After leaving Hillsborough Castle the royal couple travelled into Belfast to meet leaders from all the major faiths in Northern Ireland before a service of prayer and reflection on the life of Queen Elizabeth II at St Anne's Cathedral.

During the service, Archbishop of Armagh John McDowell, the head of the Church of Ireland, highlighted the Queen's efforts to foster peace on the island of Ireland.

He told the King and Queen Consort that "faithfulness, care, dutifulness, love and devotion" were all part of her long reign.

"All of these could be employed to describe her relationship with Northern Ireland, with patience binding them all together, but paying attention especially to what she said most recently, the word which I think will be most associated with Queen Elizabeth and Ireland, north and south, is 'reconciliation'," the archbishop said.

He added that the Queen "followed where Jesus led as women often have in the elusive and unfinished work of reconciliation here in Ireland".

Prime Minister Liz Truss attended the service, along with Irish President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin.

Again, hundreds of people lined the route through the city.

The Reas from Carryduff and the Dolans from Belvoir took the day off school and made their way to City Hall at 08:00 BST to see the royal couple.

Back (LR) - Jack Rea, Nicola Rea, Lisa Dolan Front - Sophie Rea, Harry Dolan


"We'll never see anything like this again," said Lisa Dolan.

"It's a once in a lifetime event."

Ms Dolan said she felt sorry for the King being "unable to grieve the way the rest of us would", but understood it was his duty as monarch.

"He's been working towards this his entire life," she added.

Hazelwood Integrated students Jo and James were among those who gathered at Writers' Square, across from St Anne's Cathedral.

Hazelwood Integrated students Jo and James hoped to see the royal couple after the service at St Anne's Cathedral


They said that as history students, they were excited to be witnessing such an historical event.

"I was a wee bit heartbroken when the queen died - I'm not going to lie," said James.

But he was equally excited to see the new King.

"I had never really thought about the Queen as a force in my life until she died and then it felt like something was missing," Jo said.

Irish President Michael D Higgins greeting Prime Minister Liz Truss at St Anne's Cathedral


At the end of the service, the King and Queen Consort left St Anne's through the west door where they again met members of the public in Writers' Square, before heading back to Belfast City Airport for the return flight to London.


King Charles III: New King meets NI parties for first time as monarch

The Queen made a "huge difference in changing attitudes" in Northern Ireland, says Stormont Speaker Alex Maskey




Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
‘Frightening’ First Night in Prison for Sarkozy: Inmates Riot and Shout ‘Little Nicolas’
White House Announces No Imminent Summit Between Trump and Putin
US and Qatar Warn EU of Trade and Energy Risks from Tough Climate Regulation
Apple Challenges EU Digital Markets Act Crackdown in Landmark Court Battle
Nicolas Sarkozy begins five-year prison term at La Santé in Paris
Japan stocks surge to record as Sanae Takaichi becomes Prime Minister
This Is How the 'Heist of the Century' Was Carried Out at the Louvre in Seven Minutes: France Humiliated as Crown with 2,000 Diamonds Vanishes
China Warns UK of ‘Consequences’ After Delay to London Embassy Approval
France’s Wealthy Shift Billions to Luxembourg and Switzerland Amid Tax and Political Turmoil
"Sniper Position": Observation Post Targeting 'Air Force One' Found Before Trump’s Arrival in Florida
Shouting Match at the White House: 'Trump Cursed, Threw Maps, and Told Zelensky – "Putin Will Destroy You"'
Windows’ Own ‘Siri’ Has Arrived: You Can Now Talk to Your Computer
Thailand and Singapore Investigate Cambodian-Based Prince Group as U.S. and U.K. Sanctions Unfold
‘No Kings’ Protests Inflate Numbers — But History Shows Nations Collapse Without Strong Executive Power
Chinese Tech Giants Halt Stablecoin Launches After Beijing’s Regulatory Intervention
Manhattan Jury Holds BNP Paribas Liable for Enabling Sudanese Government Abuses
Trump Orders Immediate Release of Former Congressman George Santos After Commuting Prison Sentence
S&P Downgrades France’s Credit Rating, Citing Soaring Debt and Political Instability
Ofcom Rules BBC’s Gaza Documentary ‘Materially Misleading’ Over Narrator’s Hamas Ties
Diane Keaton’s Cause of Death Revealed as Pneumonia, Family Confirms
Former Lostprophets Frontman Ian Watkins Stabbed to Death in British Prison
"The Tsunami Is Coming, and It’s Massive": The World’s Richest Man Unveils a New AI Vision
Outsider, Heroine, Trailblazer: Diane Keaton Was Always a Little Strange — and Forever One of a Kind
Dramatic Development in the Death of 'Mango' Founder: Billionaire's Son Suspected of Murder
Two Years of Darkness: The Harrowing Testimonies of Israeli Hostages Emerging From Gaza Captivity
EU Moves to Use Frozen Russian Assets to Buy U.S. Weapons for Ukraine
Europe Emerges as the Biggest Casualty in U.S.-China Rare Earth Rivalry
HSBC Confronts Strategic Crossroads as NAB Seeks Only Retail Arm in Australia Exit
U.S. Chamber Sues Trump Over $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
Shenzhen Expo Spotlights China’s Quantum Step in Semiconductor Self-Reliance
China Accelerates to the Forefront in Global Nuclear Fusion Race
Yachts, Private Jets, and a Picasso Painting: Exposed as 'One of the Largest Frauds in History'
Australia’s Wedgetail Spies Aid NATO Response as Russian MiGs Breach Estonian Airspace
McGowan Urges Chalmers to Cut Spending Over Tax Hike to Close $20 Billion Budget Gap
Victoria Orders Review of Transgender Prison Placement Amid Safety Concerns for Female Inmates
U.S. Treasury Mobilises New $20 Billion Debt Facility to Stabilise Argentina
French Business Leaders Decry Budget as Macron’s Pro-Enterprise Promise Undermined
Trump Claims Modi Pledged India Would End Russian Oil Imports Amid U.S. Tariff Pressure
Surging AI Startup Valuations Fuel Bubble Concerns Among Top Investors
Australian Punter Archie Wilson Tears Up During Nebraska Press Conference, Sparking Conversation on Male Vulnerability
Australia Confirms U.S. Access to Upgraded Submarine Shipyard Under AUKUS Deal
“Firepower” Promised for Ukraine as NATO Ministers Meet — But U.S. Tomahawks Remain Undecided
Brands Confront New Dilemma as Extremists Adopt Fashion Labels
The Sydney Sweeney and Jeans Storm: “The Outcome Surpassed Our Wildest Dreams”
Erika Kirk Delivers Moving Tribute at White House as Trump Awards Charlie Presidential Medal of Freedom
British Food Influencer ‘Big John’ Detained in Australia After Visa Dispute
ScamBodia: The Chinese Fraud Empire Shielded by Cambodia’s Ruling Elite
French PM Suspends Macron’s Pension Reform Until After 2027 in Bid to Stabilize Government
Orange, Bouygues and Free Make €17 Billion Bid for Drahi’s Altice France Telecom Assets
Dutch Government Seizes Chipmaker After U.S. Presses for Removal of Chinese CEO
×