Royal visit: Prince Charles meets Ukrainian refugee on NI trip

The Prince of Wales met a Ukrainian mother who fled her home country on the second day of his visit to Northern Ireland.

Prince Charles spoke to Maryna, who left her home with her two sons after the Russian invasion.

She said he told her he could not believe what was happening to her country.

He met her at the Titanic Belfast centre, one of a number of engagements he carried out.

His wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, is accompanying him on the two-day trip to Northern Ireland, but they made a number of visits separately on Tuesday.

Maryna, who is now living with her mother in Richhill in County Armagh, said the prince also asked her about her journey from Ukraine.

At Titanic Belfast the Prince of Wales also met organisations working to support refugees.

Among the groups were Barnardo's, Extern, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Belfast Trust, British Red Cross and Queen's University.

He was introduced to representatives of the Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross Foundation, of which he has been a patron for 20 years.

The royal couple started off the second day of their visit in CS Lewis Square in east Belfast, where they toured stalls showcasing community activities.

They then made separate trips to venues including the Grand Opera House and BBC Northern Ireland.

Their trip is part of the celebrations to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

After visiting CS Lewis Square, including being photographed at a sculpture of the Belfast-born author, the duchess visited the adjacent Holywood Arches Library.

The duchess, who is passionate about reading, met staff from Libraries NI, a Knit and Natter group and the library's book club.

At the same time, Prince Charles made his way to the Grand Opera House, which has recently been renovated.

He met architects, designers and conservators, before watching a short performance in the main auditorium.

The prince unveiled a plaque to mark his visit and was shown some artefacts from the theatre's 125-year history.

After leaving east Belfast, BBC Northern Ireland was the next location for the duchess as she unveiled a specially-commissioned crest in the reception of Broadcasting House to mark the corporation's centenary year.

She was also given a tour of the BBC Newsline set, including a demonstration of its green screen.

The duchess took the presenter's chair, where she was shown the autocue and spoke with BBC News NI presenters.

On Wednesday afternoon, Prince Charles visited Marie Curie Belfast to meet residents and staff, as well as contributing to a wall of reflection, designed to mark the second anniversary of the initial Covid-19 lockdown.

He spoke to staff and patients, including patient Eamonn Keenan. The prince, who is a patron of the charity, last visited the hospice in 2004.

On Tuesday, the royal couple began their Northern Ireland visit in Cookstown, County Tyrone.

After a walkabout, the prince and duchess visited Superstars Cafe, a charity that works with young people with learning disabilities.

Prince Charles and Camilla were shown the charity's horticulture work, furniture restoration and craft work before unveiling a plaque to mark the visit.

The royal couple also met shop owners and members of the local community.

Hundreds of schoolchildren lined a pedestrianised section of the town to meet them.

Prince Charles and Camilla last visited Northern Ireland in May 2021.

They will next visit the Republic of Ireland, a country they last went to in 2019, for a three-day visit.

It is expected the royal couple will travel to Tipperary and Waterford and finish the trip by visiting the Rock of Cashel on Friday.

Gardaí (Irish police) have said "access to the general public for viewing the visit is very limited in all locations".

In February, the Queen, who is 95, became the first British monarch to reach the milestone of 70 years on the throne.

She was due to visit Northern Ireland last October but cancelled the trip on medical grounds.