Harry and Meghan enjoy Irish pub lunch

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry embraced the culture of Northern Ireland during a visit to one of Belfast’s most famous buildings – by sitting down to a traditional Irish pub lunch.

The American actress and her fiancé, on a whirlwind trip to the region, toured the Crown Liquor Saloon – a major tourist attraction in the city.

Earlier, they received a rapturous welcome from thousands of young people when they visited the former Maze paramilitary prison outside Lisburn, where teenagers from both sides of the Irish border had gathered for a peacebuilding event.

Ms Markle revealed that they had been anticipating their trip to the wellknown Victorian gin palace, which is owned by the National Trust and famed for its ornate decorations.

Harry joked with He a thermclachlan, the national Trust’s director for Northern Ireland, asking “Are you open?”, before declaring “We want food”.

His fiancée added: “We saw the menu last week, and said ‘We’ll have this’.”

The couple marvelled at the pub, which features period gas lighting, a red marble-topped bar, mosaic tiled floor and snugs – ornately carved wooden booths with stained glass where Victorian drinkers could sit in private. Looking up at the ornate ceiling, Harry was quick to express admiration, saying: “It’s amazing, it really is.”