Prince William surprised everyone with an unexpected trip to Northern Ireland. Now 42 years old, the Prince of Wales organized two engagements during this surprise visit.
One of his first events was on the campus of the University of Ulster in Belfast, where he had the opportunity to meet Irish actor James Martin. Together, they discussed the burgeoning success of the city’s creative sector.
A crucial part of his visit included an earlier stop focused on a very important topic—William’s work to address homelessness.
Prince William in Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, the prince began his day at The Foyer, a temporary service that provides housing and support for homeless young people in Belfast.
This initiative is run by the Simon Community, a charity dedicated to helping people experiencing homelessness, and is part of the local Homewards Northern Ireland Coalitions.
During his time there, William was able to see first-hand the initiatives to prevent and end homelessness among young people.
The prince also took time to interact with the young people, listening to their stories and the support they have received.
After addressing homelessness, William turned his attention to the creative sector, paying a visit to the University of Ulster.
The prince arrived with the intention of learning more about the efforts underway to establish Northern Ireland as a world leader in creativity and innovation. During his tour, he visited a state-of-the-art Virtual Production Studio, where he spent time with students.
In an entertaining moment, William hopped on a stationary motorcycle and quipped, “Any excuse to get on a motorcycle.”
Additionally, his conversation with James Martin highlighted the current success of the sector in Northern Ireland and the potential for Studio Ulster to take it even further.
Protests against Prince William in Belfast
However, it was not all plain sailing. Arriving under police protection at the university, William received a surprisingly muted response from the crowd, which consisted of more than 100 students watching him.
According to GB News, the prince faced heckling from pro-Palestinian protesters when he arrived at the University of Ulster.
The group made their displeasure clear by shouting the Prince of Wales’ name followed by “shame” and also addressing Secretary of State Hilary Benn, who was also present.
Despite this awkward moment, William continued his tour as if nothing had happened, demonstrating his commitment to the issues he was there to address.