The 'Time for Truth' rally was organised to demonstrate opposition to the UK government's controversial plans to deal with the legacy of the conflict in Northern Ireland. Floral tributes at Hillsborough Castle today The party's vice president Michelle O'Neill and other senior party figures were at a rally in Belfast today for victims of the Troubles. Sinn Féin stayed away from the accession proclamation ceremony but said it will attend other official events during the period of mourning for the queen. Guests included Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris and Northern Ireland Office minister Steve Baker.ĭUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson, Alliance Party leader Naomi Long, Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie and Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister were also there. Mr Noel then invited guests to cheer three times for Charles. Prior to the proclamation, a 40-second fanfare was sounded by a bugler.Ī bell in the clock tower of the castle's Court House chimed once at 12pm to signal the start of the reading.Īs Norroy and Ulster King of Arms, London-born Mr Noel is one of three senior officers of arms at the College of Arms in London.įollowing the proclamation, a 21-gun salute was fired by the 206 (Ulster) Battery Royal Artillery.Īfter the last round, the bugler sounded a royal salute before the RIR band played a verse of God Save The King. Onlookers shelter from the rain under umbrellas at Hillsborough Castle today The ceremony began with the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) band leading a procession of a Proclamation Guard from the 2nd Battalion of the RIR and representatives of Lisburn and Castlereagh Council to the front of the castle. Hillsborough Castle is the royal family's official residence in Northern Ireland, and the Co Down village was recently honoured with a 'Royal' prefix in recognition of its long-standing regal links.

The Norroy and Ulster King of Arms Robert Noel formally declared the accession of King Charles III following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.Īmid heavy rain, around 200 invited guests were inside the castle grounds, while hundreds more watched from under umbrellas outside the main gates. The proclamation of the UK's new king has been read at Hillsborough Castle in Co Down.

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