HRH The Duke of York attends Hillsborough Castle Garden Party
His Royal Highness The Duke of York today was the Guest of Honour at the annual Garden Party in the grounds of Hillsborough Castle hosted by The Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland .
On arrival HRH was greeted by Mr David Lindsay, Lord Lieutenant of County Down . Accompanied by the Secretary of State, HRH met Mr George Hamilton, Assistant Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and a number of officers and their guests in the Rose Garden. The Duke went on to meet Brigadier Rob Thompson DSO MBE, Commander 38 (Irish) Brigade and a number of personnel serving in Northern Ireland and their guests.
Arriving in the main garden the National Anthem was played by the Band of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and HRH was invited to plant a tree, assisted by Mrs Joan Wylie, a member of the Hillsborough Castle household staff, to commemorate the visit.
HRH went on to meet around 2,500 invited guests from across Northern Ireland society, including young apprentices who are part of the UK team in the International WorldSkills competition.
Prior to farewells HRH signed the Hillsborough Castle visitors’ book.