Queen Elizabeth II in Northern Ireland for a Two-Day Visit

Northern First Minister Arlene Foster is greeted by the Queen at Hillsborough Castle. Image: PA

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip flew to Northern Ireland June 27 for a series of engagements following the hectic pace of her 90th birthday celebrations. The Queen’s two-day visit came after the Brexit referendum.

The Queen has already met First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness at Hillsborough Castle.

McGuinness first met Her Majesty exactly four years ago. The Sinn Fein leader greeted the Queen, telling her it was nice to see her again and asked if she was feeling well.

"Well I'm still alive anyway," the Queen laughingly replied.


Foster, the leader of Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), was pleased to have met the Queen, telling her it was "lovely to be here."

The couple’s engagements include a visit to the Giant's Causeway on Tuesday and then to Bushmills to unveil of a statue to Robert Quigg, a World War I hero who was honored with the Victoria Cross for his bravery in the Battle of Somme.

The Queen and Prince Philip are also slated to have lunch at Royal Portrush Golf Club and then proceed to Londonderry via steam train to officially open Bellarena Railway Station.

The Queen visited Northern Ireland last June 2014. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were also at Hillsborough House weeks earlier for the annual garden party attended by 2,500 guests.


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