HAPPY AND GLORIOUS

Final Day of Royal Engagements
The Royal Couple at their last engagement in Coleraine. Coleraine Borough Council were delighted to host a reception to acknowledge the contribution that the Royal British Legion has made to improve the wellbeing of veterans and their families. Photo M THurson/Harrisons — Final Day of Royal Engagements The Royal Couple at their last engagement in Coleraine. Coleraine Borough Council were delighted to host a reception to acknowledge the contribution that the Royal British Legion has made to improve the wellbeing of veterans and their families. Photo M THurson/Harrisons

visit to Coleraine last Wednesday.

The Royal couple flew by helicopter from Hillsborough Castle to Rugby Avenue on the outskirts of town before driving into the town centre among a fleet of Range Rovers to take part in First World War commemorations hosted by Coleraine Borough Council.

On arriving at Coleraine Town Hall, Her Majesty and Prince Philip, who were accompanied by Denis Desmond, Lord-Lieutenant of Co Londonderry and Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, were greeted by councillor George Duddy, Mayor of Coleraine.

Councillor Duddy welcomed the Royal party to a civic reception for representatives of the Royal British Legion from Northern and the Republic, as part of Council’s Recognition of Coleraine’s Journey from 1914.

Council hosted the reception to acknowledge the contribution that the Royal British Legion has made to improve the wellbeing of veterans and their families.

The event was also to launch the Council’s programme of activities that will commemorate the start of Britain’s involvement in WW1.

The Royal couple were invited by the Mayor to meet members of the Royal British Legion from Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, as well as elected members of Coleraine Borough Council.

Before leaving the Town Hall the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh signed the visitors’ book and councillor Duddy presented them with gifts, a specially commissioned brooch and a hamper of local produce, including a bottle of Coleraine Whiskey.

The pair then moved outside to the cenotaph for a short service of remembrance led by William Mills, Royal British Legion, Coleraine.

The Queen laid wreath in honour of all those who died in WW1, before conducting a brief walkabout to meet some of the well wishers around the Diamond area of the town.