Royal couple guests of honour at Hillsborough garden party
Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Wessex have arrived in Northern Ireland and are guests of honour at a garden party in Hillsborough Castle.
The Royal Couple were greeted Mr David Lindsay Lord-Lieutenant of County Down and went on to meet Mr David Corbett Sheriff of County Down and The Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
In the Rose Garden TRHs met Deputy Chief Constable Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Judith Gillespie OBE and a number of PSNI officers and their guests. TRHs also met Brigadier Edward Smyth-Osbourne Commander 38 (Irish) Brigade and a number of personnel serving in Northern Ireland and their guests.
In the main garden TRHs received a warm welcome and, following the National Anthem played by The Band of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, The Secretary of State invited TRHs to plant a tree to commemorate the visit.
TRHs are expected to spend the afternoon at the Garden Party and meet many of the 2000 invited guests representing a broad cross-section of the community.