Royal visitors attend Civic luncheon
Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh attended a Civic Lunch at Belfast City Hall.
Celebrating the Best of Belfast” hosted by the Lord Mayor of Belfast. Upon arrival HM and HRH were greeted by Councillor Nichola Mallon, Lord Mayor of Belfast and Mr Peter McNaney CBE, Chief Executive, Belfast City Council. Members of the Field Marshall Montgomery Pipe Band provided back ground music.
Guests attending the Civic Lunch were drawn from a wide cross-section of Belfast, in the majestic setting of Belfast City Hall, representing a truly historic occasion. The Freedom of the City of Belfast was conferred on Their Royal Highnesses The Princess Elizabeth and The Duke of Edinburgh in May 1949. Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness visited the City Hall in July 1953 as part of Her Majesty’s Coronation Tour.
On the Rotunda The Royal Couple met elected members of the current and shadow City Council during pre-lunch drinks. En route to the Great Hall HM and HRH viewed the Battle of the Somme painting “The Attack of the Ulster Division” by J P Beadle.
At lunch The Toastmaster invited the Lord Mayor to say a few words and Her Majesty responded. Rev Dr Lesley Carroll, Minister of Fortwilliam & Macrory Presbyterian Church in North Belfast said Grace. The Toast Master invited the Lord Mayor to propose the Loyal Toast.
Prior to departure for the next engagement The Royal Couple received a warm farewell from a number of City Council staff and the catering team.