The Cambridge's embark on a two-day visit to Northern Ireland!
Today, the Duke and Duchess are Cambridge started a two-day surprise visit to Northern Ireland!
As some of you may know, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were at Anmer Hall last week and returned to London over the weekend. The couple weren't due back to public engagements until March 4. So it was a pleasant surprise to see them today!
As most Northern Ireland engagements are, today's was kept under the wraps until today. Over the course of today and tomorrow the couple will be visiting Belfast, Fermanagh and Ballymena.
Kensington Palace said: "Day one will have a strong focus on the positive impact that sport, nature and the outdoors can have on childhood development, and improved physical and mental health for all."
Upon arrival, the Duke and Duchess met members of the public who had gathered outside of their first engagement.
For their first engagement of the day, William and Kate toured the Irish FA’s Education and Heritage Centre. There, they were greeted by Former Tottenham and Arsenal goalkeeper, Pat Jennings who is Northern Ireland's record caps holder, with 119 appearances during his career that took place in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.
It was then time for a quick outfit change as the Duke and Duchess ruffled up their sleeves to take part in a football practice with young girls.
The Irish Football Association's "Shooting Starts" program encourages girls to play soccer, and "Ahead of the Games" which works to support clubs and volunteers when dealing with mental health issues.
The Evening Standard reports:
Before departing, the Duke and Duchess received jerseys for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. William asked the children if they enjoy football and Kate replied: "They were teaching me some football skills, they're very good".
They then visited Extern at their Roscor Youth Village in Fermanagh, which is a residential activity centre for children referred to the charity by social workers or the Department of Justice. The site provides a safe space to help and support these young people, with particular emphasis on outdoor activities and developing independent living skills.
Kate joined a group of teenagers for archery
While William took part in a array of activities.
Much to the dissapointment of the Duchess' team, the Duke's team was victorious!
The Duke and Duchess surprised everyone when they served themselves a pint of Harp. As William took his turn he said: "Look at that bad boy. It's good enough for an advert."
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The Duke and Duchess met guests, who encompassed representatives from Northern Ireland’s business, arts and sport sectors
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge congratulate legendary Northern Irish Athlete Dame Mary Peters, who was today appointed by Her Majesty The Queen to be a Lady Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
And that's a wrap for the Cambridge's first day in Northern Ireland! We can expect to see them again tomorrow, however I don't expect their itinerary to be announced until their first engagement due to security reasons.
Did you enjoy day one?
As some of you may know, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were at Anmer Hall last week and returned to London over the weekend. The couple weren't due back to public engagements until March 4. So it was a pleasant surprise to see them today!
As most Northern Ireland engagements are, today's was kept under the wraps until today. Over the course of today and tomorrow the couple will be visiting Belfast, Fermanagh and Ballymena.
Kensington Palace said: "Day one will have a strong focus on the positive impact that sport, nature and the outdoors can have on childhood development, and improved physical and mental health for all."
Upon arrival, the Duke and Duchess met members of the public who had gathered outside of their first engagement.
For their first engagement of the day, William and Kate toured the Irish FA’s Education and Heritage Centre. There, they were greeted by Former Tottenham and Arsenal goalkeeper, Pat Jennings who is Northern Ireland's record caps holder, with 119 appearances during his career that took place in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.
Irish FA Director of Football Development Michael Boyd said: "It was a fantastic privilege to welcome the Duke and Duchess to the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park and to tell them about the work that the Irish FA Foundation does promoting football for all, health, education and employability serving communities right across Northern Ireland. The Royal couple were really interested in the projects we deliver, and it was a massive boost for our staff and our participants to meet them and to be encouraged by them."š The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meet @NorthernIreland goalkeeping legend Pat Jennings at Windsor Park Football Stadium, home of the @OfficialIrishFA #RoyalVisitNI pic.twitter.com/Va3HUwyVlH— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) February 27, 2019
It was then time for a quick outfit change as the Duke and Duchess ruffled up their sleeves to take part in a football practice with young girls.
The Irish Football Association's "Shooting Starts" program encourages girls to play soccer, and "Ahead of the Games" which works to support clubs and volunteers when dealing with mental health issues.
The Evening Standard reports:
'Kate told secondary school pupils that her five-year-old son, Prince George, is now learning to play the sport, practising at home and telling her: “Mummy, you’re so rubbish.”
The Duchess joined girls aged four to seven, who were taking part in a Shooting Stars programme to encourage young women into football. “Do you like doing sport?” the Duchess asked a group of them, crouching down to their level. “Thank you so much for letting me play.
“Do any of you want to play football professionally?” Told yes, she said: “Wow!” Clare Carson, girls’ participation officer at the IFA, said: “She was saying if she had played football when she was younger, she might have loved it as well. “She was happily surprised it’s now now just the norm to play as girls.”
Before departing, the Duke and Duchess received jerseys for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. William asked the children if they enjoy football and Kate replied: "They were teaching me some football skills, they're very good".
A great video from today's engagement:⚽š Thank you @OfficialIrishFA for the lovely gift of @NorthernIreland shirts for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis! #GAWA #RoyalVisitNI pic.twitter.com/ecOA050Qaf— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) February 27, 2019
They then visited Extern at their Roscor Youth Village in Fermanagh, which is a residential activity centre for children referred to the charity by social workers or the Department of Justice. The site provides a safe space to help and support these young people, with particular emphasis on outdoor activities and developing independent living skills.
Kate joined a group of teenagers for archery
While William took part in a array of activities.
There was then a friendly canoe competition later on in the day.The Duke of Cambridge joins young people for activities @Extern1978’s Roscor Youth Village — the site puts a strong emphasis on supporting young people through outdoor activities and developing independent living skills. #RoyalVisitNI pic.twitter.com/dcJ840q4BT— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) February 27, 2019
Much to the dissapointment of the Duchess' team, the Duke's team was victorious!
They concluded their first day with a party at Empire Hall celebrating young people who are making a real change in Northern Ireland.šš¶ A victory for The Duke of Cambridge's team in the canoe race at @Extern1978’s Roscor Youth Village #RoyalVisitNI pic.twitter.com/6aN0fpwII8— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) February 27, 2019
The Duke and Duchess surprised everyone when they served themselves a pint of Harp. As William took his turn he said: "Look at that bad boy. It's good enough for an advert."
The Duchess always finds a way to have the best reactions!šŗ Getting the party started at @BelfastEmpire, where The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are celebrating young people who are making a real difference in Northern Ireland #RoyalVisitNI pic.twitter.com/JFnIPdy9do— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) February 27, 2019
The Duke and Duchess met guests, who encompassed representatives from Northern Ireland’s business, arts and sport sectors
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge congratulate legendary Northern Irish Athlete Dame Mary Peters, who was today appointed by Her Majesty The Queen to be a Lady Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
And that's a wrap for the Cambridge's first day in Northern Ireland! We can expect to see them again tomorrow, however I don't expect their itinerary to be announced until their first engagement due to security reasons.
Did you enjoy day one?
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