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 Northern Ireland as part of their pre-wedding tour of Britain.



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



During a visit to the Catalyst Inc science park, Meghan, 33, made it quite clear she and Harry, 36, are already planning their first child. 



Gesturing towards an innovative baby bath made by a Northern Irish firm she quipped : 'I am sure at one point we will need the whole thing.'



The royal trip, the couple's first official joint one to Northern Ireland, also saw them learn the history of the doomed Titanic, visiting a Belfast visitor attraction telling the passenger ship's story. 



There they were presented with a replica of Titanic and flowers by Leyton Jackson, 6, and his sister Rosie, 4, before being shown around the museum by its chief executive Judith Owens.



The bride-to-be praised the warmth of the Northern Irish people, commenting: 'It's been lovely. Everyone has been so warm and friendly





The Royal bride and groom-to-be waved to the ecstatic crowds before heading inside the landmark Crown Liquor Saloon 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 d*ath. 



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.'



Arriving at their third engagement, at the 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 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.



Later, Miss Markle excitedly showed off her engagement ring to the crowds outside.



Roisin Kerr, 35, from Magherafelt, said: ‘It was a really lovely surprise. It means a lot to us that they decided to come here.’



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?'