Photos by Kelvin Boyes.
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge make their first Royal Visit to the County
On Wednesday 29th Sept 2021 Their Royal Highness’s The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made their first Royal visit to the County and City of Londonderry.
Landing at the City of Derry airport in brilliant sunshine they were met by Helen Mark DL. She introduced them to the Mayor of Derry and Strabane District Council Graham Warke, Junior Minister for Northern Ireland Gary Middleton (he got a special smile from Kate because of his surname!) and the Director of the airport Steve Frazer.
The chat was warm and friendly, but they could not be persuaded to give away any spoilers about the new Bond movie ‘No Time to Die’ they had seen the night before!
From the airport they made their way to the University of Ulster, Magee Campus where they were met by the City Lord Lieutenant, Angela Garvey. They visited the newly established School of Medicine also meeting some of the students and nurses they had talked to digitally during the pandemic. At a ‘cultural event’ in the student’s union, they sampled local food including whiskey, wheaten bread and Tayto crisps. Large crowds had gathered and William and Kate stopped and chatted to several of them.
They then visited the City of Derry Rugby Club where they were met by County Londonderry DL and Olympic rower Richard Archibald. He introduced them to players, coaches and volunteers involved in the Sport Uniting Communities Initiative, a collaboration between the Irish Football Association, Ulster Gaelic Athletic Association and Ulster Rugby. They also chatted to young sports people who described the importance to them of bringing both sides of the community together through sport. The atmosphere was relaxed and informal and many sports activities were in action across the playing fields which both Royals has a shot at – much to the delight of the large crowds.
It was a most successful Royal visit, and we look forward to welcoming them back.