King Charles vows to continue ‘healing of hurts’ of Northern Ireland
Charles became the first British king in 77 years to step foot in the region on Tuesday night.
King Charles has said he will seek to emulate the “shining example” of his mother who helped “to make possible the healing of long-held hurts” in Northern Ireland.
Charles became the first British king in 77 years to step foot in the region on Tuesday night (AEST). He pledged to “seek the welfare” of all Northern Ireland’s people, “whose sorrows our family had felt”, in a reference to the death of Lord Mountbatten in 1979.
Mountbatten, Charles’s great-uncle and close confidant, was assassinated by the IRA with a bomb planted on his fishing boat in Mullaghmore, County Sligo. Three others also died.
Speaking at Hillsborough Castle in County Down, the only royal residence in Northern Ireland, the King said: “My mother felt deeply, I know, the significance of the role she herself played in bringing together those whom history had separated, and in extending a hand to make possible the healing of long-held hurts.
“At the very beginning of her life of service, the Queen made a pledge to dedicate herself to her country and her people and to maintain the principles of constitutional government. This promise she kept with steadfast faith. 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.”
Accompanied by Camilla, Charles landed at Belfast City Airport just before midday. He was greeted by Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris, and Fionnuala Mary Jay-O’Boyle, the lord lieutenant of Belfast.
It was Charles’s 40th visit to Northern Ireland, but his first as king. The royal couple then travelled to Hillsborough, where they were warmly greeted by thousands of well-wishers, including scout groups and veterans, who lined the streets of the village.
The King met the crowds, shaking hands and receiving flowers.
Well-wishers held their mobile phones aloft trying to take a picture of the royal couple while chanting “God save the King”.
Charles was even welcomed by a corgi — his mother’s favourite breed of dog — which was held out to him by one local woman.
Emma Sloan, eight, and her father Jaimie Sloan, 39, an engineer, handed the Queen Consort a bouquet of flowers picked from their garden. They had arrived at 9.30am and stood for more than three hours. Emma spoke to the King and wished him “a good visit to Northern Ireland”.
He held meetings at the castle with representatives of the five main political parties in the region, including Michelle O’Neill, vice-president of Sinn Fein and first minister-designate. Alex Maskey, Speaker of the Stormont Assembly, offered condolences on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland.
Mr Maskey, a veteran republican who was twice interned without trial during the Troubles, said that there was a time when it would have been unthinkable for someone “from my own background and political tradition” to deliver such an address.
“Queen Elizabeth was not a distant observer in the transformation and progress of relationships between these islands,” he said. “She proudly demonstrated that individual acts of positive leadership can help break down barriers and encourage reconciliation.”
Ms O’Neill, who last year declined to meet Charles on his visit to Northern Ireland, told the King she was sorry for his deep loss and described the Queen as an “example in advancing peace and reconciliation”. In recent days she has urged people to be “respectful” following reported isolated outbreaks of cheering and fireworks in Belfast at the news of the Queen’s death. Videos of anti-Queen chanting at a bar in County Down have been circulating on social media. Police in Northern Ireland are investigating.
Charles’s arrival in the region comes at a time of increased public support for a united Ireland following the fallout of the 2016 Brexit vote. Northern Ireland has also had no functioning government for more than six months due to the Democratic Unionist Party’s boycott over post-Brexit trading rules. The King had a lengthy conversation with DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson about its position on the Northern Ireland protocol.
Kathryn Martin, 59, from Ballyclare, County Antrim, who was among those gathered on the streets of Hillsborough, said she hoped the King’s visit would have a “stabilising” effect. “We came today to see history and show the King our support,” said Ms Martin, 59, a former police officer.
Charles later attended a service of reflection for the life of the Queen at St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast, where he was joined by British Prime Minister Liz Truss. More than 800 people, including politicians, officials and religious leaders from across Northern Ireland and abroad, were at the service. Ms Truss was seated beside Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin.
The Times
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