Eimear McGovern and PA
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The Queen has said King Charles is “doing very well” as she met business owners and staff at Coffey’s Butchers, Knotts Bakery, and Arcadia Delicatessen on the bustling Lisburn Road in south Belfast today.
The Queen was handed a get well card for her husband, who is undergoing treatment for cancer.
It comes on the second day of her stay as she began a series of engagements in Northern Ireland.
There was an emphasis on local produce and favourite foods, with artisan and family producers sharing with the Queen their contributions to the community.
Queen Camilla meets the owner of Coffey's Butchers during a visit to Lisburn Road in Belfast to meet shop owners and staff. Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Owners and staff from Coffey’s Butchers, Knotts Bakery, and Arcadia Delicatessen all met the Queen and showed how traditional skills and methods of working are highly valued by these businesses. They also play an important role in supporting the local community.
Coffey’s has been operating on the Lisburn Road since 1929, with three generations of the family involved in running the business. The Queen met owner Phillip Armstrong and members of staff, learning how they are dedicated to preserving traditional butchery skills. Ross Auction House Belfast Ross's Auctions Open
Camilla was presented with a gift of some local favourites at Coffey’s, including vegetable rolls and beer sausages, and responded saying: “I shall take these back for my husband, he will make the most of them”.
Queen Camilla meets staff at Arcadia Deli during a visit to Lisburn Road in Belfast. Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
In Arcadia, a delicatessen that has been part of the Lisburn Road retail offering since 1933, Her Majesty spoke to the small and dedicated team that sells charcuterie, cheese, and local meats.
During her visit to The Arcadia, shop assistant Brenda Robb asked after Charles, and handed her a get well card for him, extending her best wishes.
Camilla accepted the card and thanked her, adding: “He’s doing very well …. he was very disappointed he couldn’t come”.
Responding to quips about men “not being the best patients”, Camilla said: “I try to keep him in order.” ICAEW Sponsored How to build an economy fit for the future Only 10% of UK firms sell abroad, yet the benefits are huge. What support is needed? Learn more
Queen Camilla meets members of the public during a visit to Lisburn Road in Belfast. Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Queen Camilla meets members of the public during a visit to Lisburn Road in Belfast. Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Ms Robb told the PA news agency: “She was beautiful, a real lady. She accepted a get well card that I got for her husband and she said she was sorry her husband wasn’t here.
“It was a very appropriate card. It had a wee saying from Belfast, basically rest up, take care, and on the back of it, it said from Ireland. It was picked with love.
“People say maybe he’ll not get the card, but I think he will.”
At Knotts Bakery, The Queen learned how a team of skilled bakers continues to use traditional Ulster baking methods with no machinery involved. In 2022, The Corrie Family, a third-generation family of butchers and farmers purchased the business, which now employs 120 people.
While there she met owner William Corrie, as well as his wife, former Miss Northern Ireland and Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon, and their one-year-old son Fitz. Ross Auction House Belfast Ross's Auctions Open
Queen Camilla meets the owner of Knotts Bakery, William Corrie, his wife Zoe Salmon and their son Fitz during a visit to Lisburn Road in Belfast. Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
The Queen chuckled as a joke was made that the young boy, dressed in a tux, had stolen her thunder, and smiled down at him.
She left Knotts with a gift of their fruit loaf and iced madeira cake, adding she hoped to snack on it later.
One of the people accompanying Camilla in the city was Lord Lieutenant of Belfast Dame Fionnuala Mary Jay-O'Boyle.
Camilla arrived on Wednesday evening and was greeted by staff at the royal residence Hillsborough Castle in Co Down as well as Lord Lieutenant for County Down, Gawn Rowan Hamilton.
A bugler from the Hillsborough Fort Guard played as Camilla arrived at Hillsborough Castle.
Queen Camilla meets members of the public during a visit to Lisburn Road in Belfast to meet shop owners and staff. Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
The Queen last visited Northern Ireland in May 2023 with the King on their first visit since the coronation. Ross Auction House Belfast Ross's Auctions Open
This time Camilla travelled without her husband, who has stepped back from his public duties while he is treated for cancer.
by Somerandomly
6 comments
I would imagine he’s doing very fucking well swanning it up on our money
Queen Camilla…….lol.
I wonder did she have someone who was a teacher learn her well to do the queen fing?
But what about Kate 👀
Imagine being so much of a cuck that you’d actually show support for a king born into his role that has never worked a day in his life while raping your taxpayers money
Camilla? Thought she was in the glue factory..or was that other wife he offed? Weird one that, like throwing out your fillet of steak so you could eat canned sausages from Lidl,or maybe he likes his women to look like pig ugly boys..did I say all that out loud?