Royal visit: King and Queen spend time in Co Down on third day of trip
The King tried his hand at playing the ukulele
Last updated 21st May 2026
The King and Queen have been carrying out engagements in Newtownards on the final day of their visit to Northern Ireland.
Charles visited Ards Allotments, which was founded by Maurice Patton after watching the then Prince of Wales visit an allotment on the news more than 20 years ago.
There, the King met a range of volunteers, gardeners and growers who use the allotment space to grow fresh produce and forge social connections.
He also watched a performance by a local band and had a go at strumming a ukulele, after being invited to join in the entertainment provided by Loughries Men's Ukulele Ensemble.
Meanwhile, the Queen met survivors of domestic abuse being supported by Women’s Aid in the town.
She was greeted at the venue by Emalyn Turkington, chief executive of Women's Aid in North Down and Ards, before speaking to people from agencies and organisations including the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), food banks and Community NI.
The Royal couple then visited The Warehouse community hub, before meeting well-wishers at a community celebration in Conway Square.
This visit marks the King's 43rd to Northern Ireland, first as Prince of Wales and now as King with his first coming back in 1961 with his late mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, his father the Duke of Edinburgh and his sister Princess Anne.