Wednesday 9 June 2010

The Wessexes in NI


Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Wessex were in Northern Ireland yesterday and were Guests of Honour at a Garden Party in Hillsborough Castle, County Down, hosted by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

TRH were greeted Mr David Lindsay, HM Lord-Lieutenant of County Down, and went on to meet Mr David Corbett, High Sheriff of County Down and The Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland .

In the Rose Garden, TRH met Judith Gillespie OBE, Deputy Chief Constable, Northern Ireland Police, and a number of Police Officers and their guests. The royal couple also met Brigadier Edward Smyth-Osbourne, Commander 38 (Irish) Brigade, and a number of personnel serving in Northern Ireland and their guests.

In the main garden the Earl and Countess of Wessex received a warm welcome and, following the National Anthem played by The Band of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, The Secretary of State invited TRH to plant a tree to commemorate the visit.

TRH spent the afternoon at the Garden Party and meet many of the 2,000 invited guests.

38th (Irish) Brigade is now the Regional Brigade responsible for administering the TA in Northern Ireland. This was the culmination of a draw-down of military headquarters in the Province which had seen the disbandment of 3rd Infantry Brigade, 8 Infantry Brigade, 39 Infantry Brigade and 107 (Ulster) Brigade.

4 comments :

James McClements said...

I was delighted to be present at the Garden Party yesterday where I was presented to His Royal Highness.

Timothy Belmont said...

By Jove, 2,000 must have been quite a sizeable number in the Gardens.

Anonymous said...

no mention of the passing of Scotland's most senior peer?

Timothy Belmont said...

A good point. I rely on your feedback!