The Queen met local business owners, visited The Rifles and attended a reception at Hillsborough Castle during a busy day of engagements.

To begin the day, Her Majesty arrived in Belfast City Centre to meet with three well-known small Northern Irish businesses. These included Coffey’s Butchers, Arcadia Delicatessen and Knotts Craft Bakery.

The Queen then visited The Rifles at Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn where she took a Royal Salute and watched the parade conduct a march and double-past. The parade was observed by the remainder of the Battalion and their family members. Her Majesty then joined the Riflemen and their family members for a reception.

Moving then to Hillsborough Castle, The Queen received the Secretary of State, the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland.

All of which have recently returned from a St Patrick’s Day engagement with President Biden in Washington, focusing on showcasing Northern Ireland’s economy and developing key relationships and networks across the US.

Her Majesty was then greeted by a selection of performers for a Queen’s Reading Room recital. The event was hosted in collaboration between the QRR and the Arts Council Northern Ireland.

The creative industries are rightly celebrated as one of the strongest sectors in Northern Ireland, having already contributed £1.3bn to the economy.