See if you can spot anyone you know from Saturday’s parades in our above photo gallery
Parades took place at six locations in the finale to the marching season.
In Cookstown, Co Tyrone, Sovereign Grand Master Rev William Anderson addressed around 8,000 participants.
Other parades were held in Antrim, Castlederg, Ballyclare, Dundrum and Limavady.
The events featured 350 preceptories and 300 marching bands, drawing thousands of supporters.
Rev. Anderson, the keynote speaker, delivered a powerful address centred on the institution’s 2025 Resolutions: ‘Faith, Loyalty, and the Constitution’.
He criticised the current political climate, highlighting a growing sense of instability and loss of trust in government.
He called for a return to faith and adherence to Christian principles, while reaffirming loyalty to King Charles III and his commitment to defending the Protestant faith.
On the Constitution, Rev Anderson voiced concern over the imposition of foreign laws on Northern Ireland, urging the UK government to ‘restore full citizenship rights as outlined in the Act of Union’.
“Unless you live in a parallel universe, you can’t help but wonder what is going on in our world today,” said Rev Anderson.
“We struggle from one crisis to the next, we no longer trust our political leaders, our country is being overrun, and our national Government lacks the will to deal with our problems.”
He believes that “the biggest casualty is trust”, undermining confidence and creating “an air of hopelessness”.
On the Constitution, he asked: “Why does our national Government persist in allowing a foreign power to make laws over this part of the United Kingdom?
“It is a question that goes unanswered, unless you examine closely the political manoeuvring that is going on in the background to remove us as citizens of the United Kingdom.
“There is simply no economic gain, no political gain for such a plan, yet we rock from one crisis to another, which only creates more instability, at a time when the nation is crying out for stability.
“Our hope for a stable future lies within the United Kingdom and not in some hybrid state, wobbling from one crisis to another.”
On the Resolution of Loyalty to His Majesty King Charles, he said: “Leadership requires resolve, firmness in decision-making, and a true upholding of that which we promised to uphold.
“Our King has resolved to uphold the Protestant faith, and that should be the guiding principle of his reign.
“If he keeps that as his focus, then he can be assured of our support.”
Rev Anderson said that, overall, hope for the future and the answer to today’s problems was to be found in the Lord.
Pacemaker Press 30-08-2025: Royal Black Institution holding Last Saturday parades.
He said: “Our biggest problem is we talk the talk, but we don’t walk the walk.
“Today, more than ever, we need to turn to God, set aside our foolish ways and plead with Him to save us from our sins and in so doing save our nation.”
“Today, may I urge you to turn to God, to seek his forgiveness.”
He continued: “Remember that He died for you. His sacrifice on the cross was the price He paid for your sin. What a Saviour! “What hope He gives to those that are lost in their sin.
“Our hope today is not found in man, or political ideologies, but in Christ alone.
“So, today as we pass these Resolutions, let us set aside our hopelessness, and trust in Christ the Saviour of mankind.”
The day’s events were part of a larger regional celebration, with additional parades hosted by County Antrim Grand Black Chapter, which included 79 preceptories and 75 bands in Antrim.
The parades highlighted the continued cultural and political significance of the Royal Black Institution in Northern Ireland.