King Charles and Queen Camilla have begun a three-day visit to Northern Ireland, with Belfast putting on a traditional Irish music welcome. However, the royal visit takes place against a backdrop of increased dissident Republican activity and heightened racial tensions in the region.
Security is particularly tight for this visit, which comes just weeks after the new IRA detonated a bomb outside a police station near Belfast. Body camera footage shows how police officers narrowly escaped death in the attack. There was another attempted bomb attack by the same group in March. The threat level in Northern Ireland remains substantial.
The Queen visited Fane Street Primary School, one of the most ethnically diverse schools in Belfast, where 90% of the children come from countries outside the UK. Children were excited to meet the royals, with one saying she touched the Queen's hand and hugged her. The visit is being seen as a show of support for a community that has been a target for racists and bigots.
The royal tour comes at a sensitive time for Northern Ireland, where communities continue to navigate the complex legacy of the Troubles alongside new challenges of integration and diversity. The three-day programme is expected to include further engagements across the region highlighting community cohesion and cultural exchange.