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Prince of Wales in Belfast for one-day trip

Reuters Prince William is standing with four other people who are not facing the camera. The Prince is smiling and wearing a dark coloured suit. Reuters
Prince William met with the Simon Community in Belfast

The Prince of Wales is in Northern Ireland for a one-day visit.

Prince William had two engagements in Belfast on Thursday as part of his trip, one facilitated by homeless charity The Simon Community and the other at Ulster University.

The first was at The Foyer, a temporary accommodation and support service for young people experiencing homelessness.

This visit was in collaboration with The Homewards programme, which is a flagship project by the Prince of Wales, made up of a network of organisations across the UK committed to ending homelessness.

Following the visit to the charity, Prince William was greeted by large crowds at Ulster University for the second part of his trip.

He chatted to students taking part in The Ulster Screen Academy and visited the university's virtual production studio.

Prince William is standing with five unknown others. He is wearing a dark coloured suit.
Prince William was greeted by large crowds at Ulster University

Big security as students lined streets

There was a large security presence at the university with students wishing to attend their regular classes having to wait in line to proceed through checks from early morning.

The secretary of state, deputy first minister and lord mayor of Belfast were amongst some of those waiting in the Birley building for the Prince of Wales' arrival.

Prince William was running a little behind schedule and students lined the streets during their lunch break hoping to catch a glance of him.

Leah Reid has long blond hair, is smiling and wearing a green jumper with other students standing behind her, some of them holding up their phones
Leah Reid shook hands with the Prince

Leah Reid shook hands with the Prince during his visit

“I didn’t get a selfie but I got a few photos - so I’m happy enough and my friend got a video of me shaking his hand so I’m all happy," she told BBC News NI.

"I don’t know if I’m going to wash my hands today – I don’t think I can.”

Carenza Gamble sitting down with long, light brown hair, wearing a mustard coloured jumper beside Lucy Belle Rodgers who has shoulder length brown hair and is wearing a red jumper
Screen production students Carenza Gamble and Lucy Belle Rodgers

Screen production students Lucy Belle Rodgers and Carenza Gamble both got to meet the prince.

“I shook hands with the prince – he was asking about the creative industries," Lucy said.

"I helped show him the virtual production studio.

"I thought his camera work was good - I think he does have a few things to learn, but it’s a big upcoming industry.”

Prince of Wales on a motorbike in front of a green screen showing a road and mountains.
The Prince of Wales took a bike for a spin at the university's virtual production studio

Carenza added: “It was an exciting experience meeting him.

"I asked the prince to get on the bike and he said yes and was more than happy to.

"A visit like this highlights the bright future for our industry. I was happy the prince was so interested in our education.”

James Martin has short brown hair and a moustache and is wearing a navy suit jacket, white shirt and striped tie. He is standing in front of a number of students
James Martin said the Prince remembered presenting him with his MBE

Actor James Martin MBE was an invited guest at the visit.

“The prince is very outgoing and was very interested in what I’ve done," he said.

"He gave me my MBE and he remembered – so we had a wee bit of a chuckle.

"I found out this morning over breakfast that I was going to meet him. It was a privilege talking to him again.”