A Royal dazzler
Meghan wows crowds on first visit to NI with future husband Harry
ROYAL bride-to-be Meghan Markle won hearts across Northern Ireland yesterday as she and Prince Harry continued their pre-wedding tour of the UK.
The prince returned just six months after his first visit here, but this time to an even more rapturous reception with his dazzling fiancee on his arm.
Even with short notice of their visit, crowds of well-wishers waited for hours in the rain for a chance to see them.
There was further excitement during their visit to a tech hub in Belfast when the glamorous couple took a particular interest in a range of products for newborn babies, with Harry quipping: “How many have you got?” and Meghan adding: “I’m sure at some point we’ll need the whole lot”.
BELFAST city centre came to a standstill yesterday afternoon as Prince Harry and bride-to-be Meghan Markle wowed crowds with their glamour and charm.
Escorted by a fleet of police motorbikes, the fifth in line to the throne and his American fiancee swept into the capital city to visit the world-famous Crown Liquor Saloon, the second engagement on their whistle-stop tour.
Upon entering the landmark, the royal couple marvelled at the ornate Victorian building, which is owned by the National Trust and features period gas lighting, snugs and stained-glass windows.
The groom-to-be joked with Heather McLachlan, the National Trust’s director for Northern Ireland, asking, “Are you open?”, before declaring, “We want food”.
His fiancee added: “We saw the menu last week, and said ‘We’ll have this’.”
General manager of the Crown Andy Dickinson revealed that Ms Markle had dined on a lunch of Irish stew, while the prince had enjoyed sausage and champ.
Each also sampled half a pint of Guinness and of Mourne Gold pale ale.
“It’s really exciting to be part of the build-up to their wedding and to get a chance to show off Northern Ireland and the Crown to the rest of the world,” Andy told the Belfast Telegraph.
“They seemed like a genuinely lovely couple and we wished them well for the wedding.”
The bar’s area manager, Alan Campbell, said Prince Harry had described a visit to the Crown as being “on pretty much everybody’s bucket list”.
“He has obviously been able to tick it off his bucket list, but he is more than welcome to come back for his stag do,” he joked.
“He seemed interested to learn that we sold 120,000 pints of Guinness a year.
“It’s particularly special to have them here as part of their pre-wedding tour, a real honour for the Crown bar and for Bel- fast. They seemed very happy together — there was lots of conversation and giggling at each other’s jokes.”
The couple were presented with a unique wedding gift by Bushmills Whiskey master distiller Colum Egan (48).
“When Prince Charles came here to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Bushmills Whiskey in 2008, he signed a barrel,” Colum recalled.
“We took a plank of wood from the barrel and made coasters inscribed with ‘M’ and ‘H’ as well as Harry’s coat of arms, then we had a presentation box built in the shape of a barrel.
“Inside, there is a specially commissioned whiskey that was distilled in 2002 — the year which Harry and Meghan reached the legal drinking age.
“It’s unique, matured in a sherry cask to give it a nice fruity flavour, and accompanied by a decanter and two glasses.
“It would be lovely to think they might have a drop of Bushmills on their wedding day.
“You could really see how in love they are. They seem ideal together.”
Holywood comedian Shane Todd said he was thrilled to meet the royal couple but disappointed he didn’t have time to share any jokes.
“I had four or five jokes waiting to go, but it’s probably for the best that the opportunity didn’t present itself,” he laughed.
“I have told them that I will provide the entertainment for the wedding at mates’ rates.
“I am a big fan of Suits, so I was probably more nervous about meeting Meghan than Harry.
“They both seemed like a very down-to-earth, modern couple, and I think the relatability of the younger royals is one reason why they are still so popular.”
Musician Sam Halliday, of Two Door Cinema Club, agreed it was “refreshing to see a young, modern couple who reflect a new generation of royals”.
“Harry has shown a more human side, particularly when talking about issues like mental health,” he added.
As they emerged outside onto Great Victoria Street, the couple were greeted by cheers from the waiting crowds.
Queen’s Postgraduate student Yasmina El Saeh (22) said she had “run through the streets in the rain” to catch a glimpse of the special visitors.
“I’m a big fan of the royals, and Meghan is such a great example for women’s empowerment and gender equality,” she explained.
“She is giving a new dimension to the royal family, focusing on education and equal rights.
“I think if Princess Diana was alive she would be very happy that Meghan was getting married to her son. She reminds me of Diana.”
Medical student Rebecca Smylie (24), who shook hands with the happy couple, was also delighted to meet them.
“I think that they are following in her (Diana’s) footsteps — they spent a lot of time talking to people.
“I’m a real royal fan and Meghan is just gorgeous.
“They were a lovely couple and they work well together. You could really see the connection between them.”
❝ Harry’s ticked the Crown bar off his bucket list, but he’s welcome back for his stag do