King Charles III will arrive in Northern Ireland on Tuesday morning as part of a wider programme of visits across the UK.
Accompanied by the Queen Consort, Charles will land at Belfast City Airport before embarking on a day of activities, including a service in Belfast.
In detailed plans of the visit, the public has been invited to attend both Royal Hillsborough and Belfast city centre to line the route that Charles and Camilla will be travelling.
Follow live: Updates as King Charles visits NI
King Charles III's plans on Tuesday
The Royals will arrive at Belfast City Airport where they will be met by the Lord Lieutenant for the County Borough of Belfast, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Chief Executive of Belfast City Airport, before travelling to Hillsborough Castle for a number of engagements.
The King and Consort will arrive at Hillsborough Castle, where His Majesty will hold a private audience with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and will meet with representatives from political parties. Their Majesties will also receive a Message of Condolence from The Speaker of The Northern Ireland Assembly on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland.
The King and Queen Consort will attend a reception at Hillsborough Castle, hosted by the Secretary of State, where they will have the opportunity to meet representatives drawn from a diverse range of Northern Ireland life.
Later in the afternoon, The King and Queen Consort will travel to St Anne’s Cathedral to attend a Service of Reflection for the life of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II. Their Majesties will then undertake a walkabout at Writers’ Square before departure.
Public information regarding travel to Hillsborough Castle
A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Office said: "The public is welcome to come to Royal Hillsborough ahead of the ceremony to line the route, members of the public should be in place by 11am. There is no parking for non-residents and special transport is in place from the dedicated Park and Ride facility at the Eikon Centre, Halftown Road, Lisburn.
"There will be no public access to the Castle during this period other than via this Park & Ride service. On arrival at the Eikon Centre, members of the public will pass through a security search, before boarding coaches for Hillsborough Castle. You will be able to access toilets and refreshments at the Eikon Centre before travelling to Royal Hillsborough.
"Large bags, such as backpacks and rucksacks will not be allowed onto the Park & Ride buses to Royal Hillsborough; you will be asked to return any large bags to your car and will have to undergo the queuing system again.
"Please be aware that only floral tributes will be allowed to be laid in the dedicated area at Hillsborough Castle. On arrival at the Eikon Centre, all floral tributes will undergo a full security search, and any cellophane wrapping will be removed and disposed of at the Eikon Centre to avoid a fire risk. Notes will also be removed and preserved by the NIO at Eikon Centre for onward transmission to Buckingham Palace.
"Other items (such as soft toys) are not allowed to be laid, and will also be removed and stored at the Eikon Centre. Soft toys will be donated by the NIO to local hospitals. On arrival at Hillsborough Castle, the tributes should be handed to an events steward who will lay them in the dedicated area in the Forecourt of Hillsborough Castle."
Information regarding route between Hillsborough and Belfast St Anne’s
"His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort will leave Hillsborough Castle at 1420, travelling along Main Street and Lisburn Street to attend the Service of Reflection at St Anne’s Cathedral, which will begin at 1500," an NIO spokesperson added.
"They will come into Belfast City Centre along Wellington Place, Donegall Square North, Chichester Street and Victoria Street. The public is very welcome to line the route as His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort travel to the Cathedral. Donegall Street and Writers Square will be closed to the public."
Public Information regarding the Service of Reflection at St Anne’s
The service of reflection at St Anne’s Cathedral is by invitation only.
A small number of individuals have been invited to observe the proceedings at St Anne’s Cathedral from Writers’ Square. Members of the public will not be admitted to Writers’ Square or to the service of reflection and access to the service will be strictly by ticket only.
More information on wider activities in Belfast is available on Belfast City Council Website including public television screens at Belfast City Hall.
Travel and traffic details for Tuesday
For anyone who wants to be in Royal Hillsborough during the visit of His Majesty the King and Queen Consort, shuttle bus services will be available from 7.00am - 10.30am (subject to change) departing from both Lisburn Train Station and the Eikon Centre.
General public shuttle bus services to/from Royal Hillsborough will then resume again from 4.00pm – 8.00pm (subject to change). The public is reminded that there is no parking permitted in Royal Hillsborough.
Due to the visit, there will also be traffic diversions in Belfast City Centre impacting Translink services in the area. Customers should expect some delays and leave extra time for their journeys.
A spokesperson added: "For the latest public transport journey updates follow @Translink_NI, visit here, or call 028 90 66 66 30.
"We would like to thank our customers for their understanding & patience during this period. For any further information about official proceedings during the Period of Mourning visit www.nio.gov.uk ."
READ NEXT:
The Queen's Death: What is happening and when in the days ahead
Key questions as Bank Holiday announced for The Queen’s State Funeral
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here
