Meghan Markle and Harry arrive in Belfast for Northern Ireland trip

Meghan Markle and Harry arrive in Belfast for Northern Ireland trip

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have made a surprise trip to Belfast as part of their pre-wedding tour of Britain.

Belfast crowds were given the shock of their lives as the pair arrived unannounced in Northern Ireland, before giving going on a walkabout in the city centre and visiting the iconic Crown Liquor Saloon.

The royal couple waved to the ecstatic crowds before heading inside the major landmark where they met bar staff, local musicians and had a Irish stew lunch, including a tutorial on how to pull the perfect pint of Guinness. 

Earlier in the day, the pair greeted stunned onlookers as they made their way inside the Eikon Exhibition Centre in Lisburn, surprising a huge crowd of unsuspecting children as they arrived inside the building.

They received a rapturous reception from youngsters as they entered the huge performance arena, the former site of the Maze paramilitary prison where ten Irish republicans starved themselves to death. 

Prince Harry praised the youth-led peace-building initiative called Amazing the Space, and hinted to the turbulent history of Northern Ireland, declaring: 'Over the years religion has divided us but we're all the same underneath.'

The royal trip, the couple's first official joint trip to Northern Ireland, will also see them learn the history of the doomed Titanic, when they visit a Belfast visitor attraction telling the passenger ship's story

Arriving at their third engagement of the day, at a hub for young entrepreneurs, the couple waved at well-wishers who had braved the rain to catch a glimpse of the royal visitors.

Inside the Catalyst Inc facility in part of Belfast’s regenerated docklands, they were greeted by a number of dignitaries, including Lord Mayor Nuala McAllister and East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson. 

Harry and Meghan touched down in Northern Ireland for an unannounced visit that follows on from high profile trips to other parts of the UK.

They have been touring Britain ahead of their May wedding and the prince will introduce his fiancee to Ulster during a series of events.

In keeping with royal visits to Northern Ireland details were not released in advance and the itinerary was not disclosed for security reasons.

Ms Markle wore a cream coat by Mackage, a dark green dress by Greta Constantine, a cream top by Victoria Beckham, tobacco heels by Jimmy Choo.

The Prince and Ms Markle had a private lunch in a romantic booth at The Crown Liquor Saloon, one of the oldest bars in Belfast.

The Prince ordered sausage and champ while his fiancée tucked into the pub’s signature Irish stew.

They ordered half a pint of Guinness and half of the local Mourne Mountain Brewery gold ale to taste along with their soft drinks, after asking to sample the local beer.

They were also promised an early wedding present: bespoke spades made by the man who has provided personal spades for the Queen and Prince Charles. 

Speaking about its popularity with tourists, he added: 'It’s on people’s bucket lists isn’t it? Does it take quite a lot of work to keep it looking like this?'

'We’re very excited to be here,' said Meghan, disclosing the couple had been looking at the menu ahead of time.

The Prince, who was keen to talk about the weekend’s rugby, asked what the pub had put on for Saturday night, asking incredulously: 'You don’t show sports here?'

Andy Dickinson, general manager, said: 'It’s been a great day, we’ve all really enjoyed it.There’s always a bit of nervousness in the build-up, but it’s great that we’ve been able to showcase The Crown and Northern Ireland.

'I’m really pleased they chose to visit us. They seemed to know a lot about The Crown, and were really glad to be a little part of their wedding build up.' 

Peter Sheridan, chief executive of event host Cooperation Ireland, welcomed the special visitors and said the youth-led initiative was 'integral to the development of a peaceful society in Northern Ireland'.

'To have so many young people in one place proactively speaking out in favour of peace and committing to living their lives through peaceful means can only bode well for society, and to have the royal family here to witness it makes it even more powerful,' he said.