STACEY HEANEY REPORTS

Sports Minister Edwin Poots introduces the Queen to guests at a reception in Hillsborough Castle on Wednesday night to celebrate sport in the Province. Pic by Harrison Photography.

The Queen at the reception to mark the centenary of the Territorial Army in Northern Ireland held in Hillsborough Castle on Tuesday night.

The Queen chats with some of the guests at the Hillsborough Castle reception. Pics by John Harrison.	The Queen meets some of the guests at the Hillsborough Castle reception.	The Queen chats with guests at the Hillsborough Castle reception.

THE Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were in Hillsborough this week, as they began "an enormously significant and historic" visit to the Province, which saw Her Majesty present the Maundy purses in Armagh on Thursday.

Her Majesty looked cheerful as she arrived at the Royal residence in Hillsborough on Tuesday afternoon for her three-day visit to, her 20th to Northern Ireland.

The Queen, wearing a long cream coat, cream gloves and carrying a black handbag, was greeted by Mr William Hall, The Lord-Lieutenant of County Down, before being introduced to Dr Alan Gillespie CBE, Sheriff for County Down, and Secretary of State Shaun Woodward.

The Queen began her visit by honouring the bravery of members of the Ulster Territorial Army as she met over 300 TA soldiers, veterans and guests at a reception in Hillsborough Castle to mark the centenary year of the organisation in the UK.

She took time to speak with local members of the TA, enquiring about their roles in the organisation and asking one local soldier, who is recovering from an injury received in Afghanistan, where her grandson Prince Harry was serving until recently, about his recovery.

Following the reception, Her Majesty attended a private dinner in Hillsborough Castle. Shaun Woodward, who was present at the dinner, said: "I am delighted to welcome Her Majesty and His Royal Highness to Hillsborough Castle at the start of a visit that is an enormously significant and historic occasion for everyone.

"In this new era of political stability and optimism the people of Northern Ireland, who continue to embrace our shared vision of normality, will see a Royal Maundy Service take place here for the first time ever in the historic City of Armagh."

The Queen took part in several engagements during her visit, before presenting 82 men and 82 women - representing her 82nd year - with the traditional Maundy purses in Armagh yesterday.

Ulster Star
21/03/2008