:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/IAHENFAZSJJ3KN2ET3HL3IXPVY.jpg)
Britain’s Prince Harry arrived in Northern Ireland on Thursday for his first official visit.
The Prince opened a new Northern Ireland Ambulance Service station in Ballymena, Co Antrim, where he received a warm welcome from dozens of ambulance staff as well as local representatives, including North Antrim MP Ian Paisley.
As news of the visit spread, a small crowd gathered outside the building as locals sought to catch a glimpse of the royal. Undeterred by the rain, they snapped photos of the prince and applauded.
Inside the station, the prince shook hands and chatted with ambulance service staff, who gave him a tour of the facilities and demonstration of their equipment.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/CYLYFHMQZO2WNEBT3EWTT2TL3E.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/3PMZMUKSPVS4MZFIOD5RZ55BUQ.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/DPUNUP4LPTGJJZXYY6A2X3HXF4.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/AXMX5GNNFTF4Z45YWUI6HFCPIE.jpg)
Joked with crew
Prince Harry laughed and joked with crew, at one point spinning round one member of crew who hung from the ceiling on a wire, demonstrating a cliff rescue.
He unveiled a plaque to officially open the ambulance station.
As he left, Mr Paisley led a chorus of “hip hip hooray” in celebration of the visit.
The MP said: “This is a very significant event as it’s his first event in Northern Ireland. I’m honoured that he’s chosen to come to North Antrim to do so.”
The 32-year-old met members of the leading peace-building charity on the island of Ireland. Co-operation Ireland has worked for almost 40 years to build a shared and cohesive society within Northern Ireland and across the Border.
He met a range of youth organisations to hear about a peace-building initiative which empowers young people across the North to become ambassadors for peace within their communities, as well as details of the North’s national citizenship service.
He will conclude his visit with a garden party at the queen’s official residence in Northern Ireland, Hillsborough Castle.
PA