Prince Edward meets Dame Mary Peters & WPFG organisers at Hillsborough Castle Photo: © Michael Fisher

A British royal visitor Prince Edward came and went without any major disruption, except perhaps for the residents of Hillsborough who found some traffic and parking restrictions during the afternoon. The occasion was the annual Secretary of State’s garden party at Hillsborough Castle. Earlier the Earl of Wessex had presented a group of young people with their Duke of Edinburgh awards in a brief ceremony at the Belfast Harbour Commissioners building. The Lord Lieutenant of Belfast Dame Mary Peters was there to greet him along with the deputy Lord Mayor Alderman Christopher Stalford.

Dame Mary was also present at Hillsborough but in a different capacity, this time as patron of the World Police and Fire Games 2013. She introduced His Royal Highness to representatives of the local organising committee.