WATCH: Prince William and Kate get rapturous reception in Carrickfergus some 11 years after being made baron of the town... and 332 years after his namesake made landfall on his way to the Boyne

The visit of the recently-named Prince of Wales and his wife Kate, Princess of Wales, comes 11 years after they were named Baron and Lady Carrickfergus by the Queen as a wedding gift.

Ever since they were given those ceremonial titles, there had been speculation in the town about when the pair would visit their new ‘dominion’ on the Co Antrim coast.

Yesterday they met well-wishers in the shadow of Carrickfergus Castle, a stone’s throw from the old stone harbour where another Prince William – the Prince of Orange – made his landing in Ireland in 1690, en route to the Battle of the Boyne.

Despite there being very little public notice of the visit, large crowds turned out in the October drizzle for a glimpse of the future king and his princess.

Estimating crowds is notoriously difficult, but this reporter believes the onlookers numbered about 1,000.

There were many schoolchildren, some of whom had prepared gifts for them – among them, a group from Silverstream Primary School in nearby Greenisland.

Philip Ajayi, 10, and originally from Nigeria, had brought a teddy bear bearing his school’s logo for the royal couple’s children.

Harry Douglass, 11, had written out a poem to give the pair; Bella Donley, 10, brought a (very impressive) picture she had drawn of the Queen; and Jayia Dumigan, 10, brought a beautiful bouquet of flowers, complete with Union flag.

The school head, Louise Stewart, 39, told the News Letter: “We’ve four children and three adults down.

"I think everybody’s quite jealous these were the four chosen to come with us – and I think some of the staff are quite jealous as well!

"If we could’ve brought the whole school, we would.”

The royal pair arrived at about 2.30pm, and visited a charity called Carrick Connect, a support service for young people, formed in 2014 and based just across from the castle.

After an hour or so, they emerged to greet the assembled throng.

Among those waiting for them was Rathfriland native Noel Hamilton, a 73-year-old former missionary to Japan, with the Brethren denomination.

He had visited London during the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1952, and returned for the wedding of Charles and Diana in 1981 – in the latter case waiting outside Buckingham Palace overnight.

"I met Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in front of the Europa a few years back before they got married as well,” he said.

"And I was in front of the city hall when the King arrived – queued for five hours, saw him for 20 seconds!

"So I was very glad when they said they’d be walking along here.

"I think [the monarchy] is in a good condition, and I think if King Charles keeps away from politics – things like climate change – then I think he’ll do a good job."

Elsie McAvoy, a 78-year-old retired cook from Carrick, had only had an hour’s notice of the visit, but was determined to turn out “because we like to see royalty, and Kate’s a beautiful girl”.

Matthew McMullan, an 18-year-old school pupil from Ballyclare, said the royal family “embody what British spirit is”.

"It has taken a hit, because Her Majesty the Queen ruled for so long and was such a stable part of Britain,” he said.

"But I think Charles will continue that, and it’s been evident in his reign so far.”

Richard Burnside, a 60-year-old crossing patrolman, said the visit promotes Carrick and its “beautiful castle; it’s not as good as Windsor like, but it does the job”.

And among the crowd was Davy Hilditch, the veteran local MLA with long ties to the town’s football club, Carrick Rangers FC.

He said the event had “lifted the town”.

"It’s a very important visit to Carrick, since the couple are Baron and Baroness Carrickfergus,” he said.

"It’s the first time they’ve been since they were given the title.

"There’s been a build-up over the last few days, speculation as to who it might be.

"I don’t think it could have been a better couple as far as Carrickfergus goes.”

He added: "They’ve taken their time, so they must’ve been taking a good look at us before they came!”

For more news stories from this reporter, please click here:

• Fear of Sinn Fein 'entirely rational given IRA record of murder' - Poots reacts to latest Steve Baker comment blaming unionist fear of republican party for holding Province back

• Ireland's Future: Ex-unionist PR man says 'Union does not appeal to liberals like me'