ROYAL VISIT: Couple visit police rehab centre
SOON after tripping and almost falling while visiting a centre for injured and retired police officers with the Queen, Prince Philip was back on his feet, joking with staff.
The Duke of Edinburgh caught himself on railings as he stumbled on steps at the premises near Holywood.
The 87-year-old later made one of his trademark quips on a visit to the Police Rehabilitation and Retraining Trust (PRRT) for injured and retired police officers.
The Duke met former RUC man 'Ted', 79, who was receiving physiotherapy for injuries sustained in the Troubles.
In typically mischievous form, Prince Philip said in front of the ex-officer's physiotherapist, Maggie Murdoch: "It's hard to say whether physios actually do anything."
One of Maggie's colleagues replied that they work "extremely hard" to deliver care that works.
The police rehab centre has a full list of ex-officers taking physio, and specialist carers there see around eight people a day.
Ted had four acupuncture needles sticking from his wrist and back as part of the treatment, and the Duke added: "If someone tried that with me, they'd have no luck. All that pushing and pulling – agony."
After the Duke left, Ted – who served in the RUC for 31 years – said: "He was really easy to speak to, really down-to-earth – a gentleman."
Ted received leg and thigh injuries during riots at the peak of the Troubles and goes for treatment at the centre twice a week.
His treatment includes massage as well as electro and aquatherapy.
While the Duke chatted informally to patients in the physio room, the Queen met with former officers who have set up their own businesses.
Their firms included computer and craft companies as well as a farm.
The Queen arrived with the Duke at around 11.30am under heavy guard.
The Royal couple got out of a black Range Rover surrounded by a cavalcade of cars and police outriders.
They spent almost an hour inspecting the facilities and speaking to former police officers and security personnel.
With them was Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward and his wife Camilla.
The Queen wore an outfit by Buckingham Palace's in-house designer, Angela Kelly.
She was in a grey checked coat, decorated down the pleat with a black floral decoration.
Her matching grey hat bore the same floral flourish around the wide brim. She also wore a pearl necklace, pearl earrings and a silver brooch.
The Duke wore a pink shirt and navy blue suit.
The rehabilitation centre is celebrating its 10th year of helping ex-officers adjust to retirement, civilian life or get back into the job market.
Chairman of the PRRT board, Sheamus Hamill, said: "The Queen had a genuine interest in the work we do here – it was a real privilege."
He had met the Queen before to accept a policing medal at Buckingham Palace and escorted her around the centre.
Mr Hamill also presented the Queen with a crystal bowl at a reception for around 70 people at the end of the tour.
The Queen unveiled a plaque to mark the visit and the Royal pair signed a visitors' book before they left the building.
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Weather for Belfast
Monday 28 May 2012
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Temperature: 12 C to 25 C
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