It was the first time Charles and Camilla visited Northern Ireland following their coronation earlier this month and the first engagement on their two-day visit was a particularly fitting one – opening the new coronation garden designed by Diarmuid Gavin.
The green space is a floral tapestry with classical architecture style, planted in a pollinator friendly and sustainable way reflecting some of the great loves of His Royal Highness.
The ornate three-floor pavilion, topped by a crown and a mirror ball, treats on-lookers to a musical performance of dancing topiary and spinning conical trees every 15 minutes.
The royal couple were welcomed by his Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, David McCorkell KStJ; Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Alderman Stephen Ross; The High Sheriff of County Antrim, Peter Mackie, DL; Chief Executive of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Jacqui Dixon MBE and John Finucane MP..
During their visit, the King and Queen – both keen gardeners - met with Diarmuid Gavin to discuss his elaborate design as well as representatives of community and charitable organisations.
. King and Queen visit Newtownabbey
King Charles chats to the crowd at Hazelbank Park. Pcicture: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Photo: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker
. King and Queen visit Newtownabbey
King Charles takes a stroll at Hazelbank Park in Newtownabbey. Picture: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Photo: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker
. King and Queen visit Newtownabbey
King Charles learns more about the coronation garden at Hazelbank Park, designed by Diarmuid Gavin. Picture: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Photo: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker
. King and Queen visit Newtownabbey
King Charles and Queen Camilla chat with Diarmuid Gavin about his coronation garden design. Photo: Kelvin Boyes
. King and Queen visit Newtownabbey
Queen Camilla chats with some of the crowd that had gathered at Hazelbank Park. Picture: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Photo: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker
. King and Queen visit Newtownabbey
These young pupils enjoy meeting King Charles. Picture: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Photo: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker
. King and Queen visit Newtownabbey
A special moment as Queen Camilla stops to say ' hello' to one of the school pupils gathered at Hazelbank Park. Picture: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Photo: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker
. King and Queen visit Newtownabbey
King Charles and Queen Camilla enjoyed a warm welcome at Hazelbank Park. Picture: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Photo: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker
. King and Queen visit Newtownabbey
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in Northern Ireland on Wednesday, May 24 for their first visit since their coronation earlier this month. Picture: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Photo: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.
. King and Queen visit Newtownabbey
King Charles takes time for a walkabout during his visit to Hazelbank Park. Picture: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Photo: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker
. King and Queen visit Newtownabbey
King Charles with Lord Lieutenant of Co Antrim David McCorkell during the visit to Hazelbank Park. Picture: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Photo: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker
. King and Queen visit Newtownabbey
King Charles chats to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council chief executive Jacqui Dixon during his visit to Hazelbank Park in Newtownabbey.Picture: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Photo: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker
. King and Queen visit Newtownabbey
A memorable moment for these school pupils. Picture: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Photo: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker
. King and Queen visit Newtownabbey
King Charles and Queen Camilla with Mayor, Stpphen Ross, at the coronation garden. Picture: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Photo: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker
. King and Queen visit Newtownabbey
King Charles enjoying his visit to the coronation garden at Hazelbank Park. Picture Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Photo: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker
. King and Queen visit Newtownabbey
King Charles stops with well-wishers at Hazelbank. Picture: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press. Photo: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.
. King and Queen visit Newtownabbey
Queen Camilla enjoys her visit to the newly-created Coronation Garden in Newtownabbey, designed by Diarmuid Gavin. Picture Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Photo: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker
. King and Queen visit Newtownabbey
King Charles enjoys the view from the new coronation garden. Picture: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Photo: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker
1. King and Queen visit Newtownabbey
King Charles takes a stroll at Hazelbank Park in Newtownabbey. Picture: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Photo: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker
2. King and Queen visit Newtownabbey
King Charles learns more about the coronation garden at Hazelbank Park, designed by Diarmuid Gavin. Picture: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Photo: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker
3. King and Queen visit Newtownabbey
King Charles and Queen Camilla chat with Diarmuid Gavin about his coronation garden design. Photo: Kelvin Boyes
4. King and Queen visit Newtownabbey
Queen Camilla chats with some of the crowd that had gathered at Hazelbank Park. Picture: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Photo: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker