Prince William and Kate Middleton pull pints and play Tarzan in Northern Ireland – see best photos

The royals go by the titles Baron and Lady Carrickfergus

Updated on 27 Feb 2019

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have touched down in Belfast for their previously unannounced two-day visit to Northern Ireland. William and Kate – or Baron and Lady Carrickfergus as they're known in Northern Ireland – spent the day meeting locals and carrying out a string of engagements.

Day one of their trip had a strong focus on the positive impact that sport, nature and the outdoors can have on childhood development, and improved physical and mental health for all.

William and Kate started with a visit to Windsor Park, where they learnt about the Irish Football Association's community Football projects, and how sport can play a role in bringing communities together. The royals then travelled to County Fermanagh where they visited a youth centre, before returning to the capital for a party at the iconic Belfast Empire Hall. Let's take a look at the best photos from the Duke and Duchess' first day in Northern Ireland…

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William and Kate arrived to cheers at Windsor Park, where fans had gathered to catch a glimpse of their royal visitors. Mum-of-three Kate wore a bold red coat by Carolina Herrera, which she has previously worn in 2017 during a trip to Paris. She had her hair styled in her trademark Chelsea blow-dry and completed her look with black opaque tights and high ankle boots.

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Kate wore a pair of her favourite Kiki McDonough gold leaf-shaped earrings.

Kate was inundated with pretty bouquets.

prince william hand print northern ireland

The royals also met Northern Ireland footballing legend Pat Jennings and were shown a bronze cast print of the stopper's "safe hands". William compared his own hands to the goalkeeper's.

Former Spurs and Arsenal goalie Pat is Northern Ireland's record caps holder, with 119 appearances during a career that took in the 1982 and 1986 World Cup Finals.

kate middleton football northern ireland

William and Kate learnt about the IFA's community Football projects and met a number of representatives from a variety of sports programmes, including Female Football Leaders, which encourages more women into key decision roles within football, and Powerchair, a programme designed for wheelchair users.

Kate had a quick change of outfit, swapping her dress for black skinny jeans and a puffer jacket to play football. She tied her hair back into a loose ponytail and got stuck into a dribbling drill.

The mum-of-three bonded with local children taking part in the footie session.

William and Kate looked like they were having a lot of fun during the engagement! The Duchess told secondary school pupils that her son George is learning how to play football and tells her: "Mummy, you're so rubbish." Speaking to another group, she said: "I should have picked up some tips from George."

kate middleton and prince william play football

The couple always show their fun side when playing sports together. William joked that their children weren't old enough for him to tackle.

Before leaving, the Duke and Duchess were presented with personalised football shirts for their children.

Their next engagement took the royals to Fermanagh, where William and Kate saw the work charity Extern is doing at Roscor Youth Village, an activity centre for children who have been referred to the charity by social workers or the Department of Justice. The site provides a safe space to help and support these young people, with a particular emphasis on outdoor activities and developing independent living skills.

The royals met youngsters taking part in outdoorsy activities such as archery and tree-climbing. Kate has always been open about her love of nature and often speaks about how her kids Prince George and Princess Charlotte are fans of outdoor playtime.

The sporty royal tried her hand at archery.

The future King took part in an obstacle course, cheered on by the children.

"I am like Tarzan!" William joked as he made his way round the low ropes course. Then, when someone suggested that he was moving like a ballerina, he said: "Just like a ballerina! I have had many experiences of ballerinas." When the Prince spotted that a couple of photographers had turned up to record his efforts, he said: "All the press has turned up now. I'd better stop. Go and watch Catherine!"

The royals also took to the water to take part in a canoe lesson.

William and Kate signed a special tile each at Roscor Youth Village.

During the visit Kate and William had a private talk with some of the youngsters using the centre, with the media and other onlookers excluded. Charlie Mack, the chief executive of Extern, the charity which runs the centre, said: "It was an opportunity for them to listen directly to the young people. They were on their own. They specifically asked that they wanted to engage directly with them."

The royal couple later posed with the group for this photograph.

Later on Wednesday, William and Kate returned to the capital where they were guests of honour at an informal party at Belfast Empire Hall. They met representatives from Northern Ireland’s business, arts and sport sectors, plus inspirational young people who have made a real difference in their community.