London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Jul 30, 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
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
US Treasury Secretary Calls for Institutional Review of Federal Reserve Amid AI‑Driven Growth Expectations
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Severe Flooding in South Korea Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
Epstein Files Deepen Republican Party Divide
Zuckerberg Faces $8 Billion Privacy Lawsuit From Meta Shareholders
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
SpaceX Nears $400 Billion Valuation With New Share Sale
×