The Earl and Countess of Wessex arrived in Northern Ireland today for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
So far, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie have only visited Belfast, where they were greeted by hundreds of adoring onlookers at a 1950s-themed event on the city’s Royal Avenue.
Following that, they were met by Belfast Lord Mayor Tina Black and saw a folk performance by youngsters dressed in traditional attire.
Before travelling to Bangor for the rest of their trip, the pair enjoyed a local specialty, the Belfast Bap, and browsed the vendors at the Retro Jubilee Market.
In Bangor, the prince was seen behind the bar of a kiosk serving pints of Guinness to members of the public.
The Royal visit is to mark the third day of festivities in honour of the Queen’s seven decades on the throne.
The earl and countess of Belfast met groups of artists in Belfast, including the Belfast Busking Band, and heard tales about the city’s different communities throughout the previous 70 years, which will be explored via fashion, photography, music, and dance.
The earl also spoke with senior Belfast locals who had been brought together by Age Friendly Belfast to share their stories and recollections.
Meanwhile, the countess took part in an unique platinum jubilee variety of craft activities with schoolchildren, making crowns and corgis before seeing a fashion presentation across the decades.
The Royal couple then went on to their second engagement of the day, which took place in Bangor this afternoon.
On the beachfront of Bangor, which has newly been awarded city status, the pair joined members of the public at a vintage, seaside funfair.
Having viewed vehicles from the last 70 years, The Earl visited a 1950s pop-up diner, where he had was able to try his hand at pulling a pint of Guinness.
Meanwhile, the Countess was put through her paces at a 50s and 60s dance demonstration.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex also met the winner of a local Platinum Jubilee pudding competition.
Their Royal Highnesses also greeted Royal Navy sailors and RNLI crew.
To end their visit, the Royal couple went head-to-head in a cooking contest, chaired by professional chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, preparing omelettes. Mr Novelli declaring them joint-winners.
Prince Charles and Prince William are scheduled to address a live audience of 22,000 at a special concert in front of Buckingham Palace today, as millions the third day of the Platinum Jubilee extravaganza marking her 70 years on the throne.
The concert, which will include Diana Ross, Queen, Adam Lambert, and Alicia Keys, will be held outside the palace in a makeshift amphitheater created around the Victoria Memorial.
With rain in the forecast, the 96-year-old queen is unlikely to attend the midnight outdoor celebration. The queen’s public appearances have been reduced in recent months due to mobility concerns, which the palace defines as “episodic mobility challenges.”
The queen skipped the Epsom Derby on Saturday, the second race in as many days that her transportation issues had prevented spectators from seeing her. The queen skipped a special Thanksgiving ceremony held in her honor at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London on Friday.
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, were among nearly 50 members of the royal family who gathered to honor the absent head of state. It was their first public appearance in the U.K. since stepping back from royal duties two years ago.