Prince meets police chiefs in Northern Ireland ahead of Memorial Garden opening

The Prince of Wales has met police chiefs in Northern Ireland ahead of opening a new memorial to officers who died in service.
Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable George Hamilton  greets the Prince of Wales as he attends the PSNI HQ memorial garden opening in Belfast, during their visit to Northern IrelandPolice Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable George Hamilton  greets the Prince of Wales as he attends the PSNI HQ memorial garden opening in Belfast, during their visit to Northern Ireland
Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable George Hamilton greets the Prince of Wales as he attends the PSNI HQ memorial garden opening in Belfast, during their visit to Northern Ireland

Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall arrived at Police Service of Northern Ireland headquarters in Belfast to open a new garden paying tribute to the 13 officers who have died since the organisation was founded in 2001.

There is already an adjoining memorial garden to the 300 officers from the PSNI’s predecessor, the Royal Ulster Constabulary, who were killed during the Troubles.

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The solemn event, which will see the royal couple meet relatives of some of the fallen PSNI officers, started the couple’s second day of their four-day trip to Ireland.

After fulfilling a number of other engagements in Co Down, they will travel across the border to the Irish Republic.

The Prince has officially visited the Republic of Ireland four times before, most recently in May 2016.

In 2015 he and the Duchess travelled to Mullaghmore in Co Sligo where the Prince’s great uncle and mentor Lord Mountbatten and three others were killed by the IRA in 1979.

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Highlights of the couple’s latest visit to Ireland will include an engagement at Kilkenny Castle, where they will hear some traditional music and watch a hurling demonstration by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA).

Charles will tour the United Nations Training School Ireland at the Curragh Camp, while Camilla will visit the Irish National Stud.

Both will attend ceremonies at Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin to commemorate those who lost their lives in the First World War and during the Easter Rising.

Irish President Michael D. Higgins will meet the Royal couple in Dublin later on Wednesday.

While in the city the Prince will also meet Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny and he and the Duchess will conclude their visit on Friday by attending a reception at the British ambassador’s residence.