This afternoon HRH The Duke of Gloucester invested the Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, KStJ, as Knight Commander of the Commandery of Ards in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast. The Commandery of Ards overseas the work of the Order of St John in Northern Ireland, the Order is best known here through the work of St John Ambulance NI. 

The Lord-Lieutenant succeeds The Right Honourable The Viscount Brookeborough, KG, KStJ, as Knight Commander. Lord Brookeborough is Lord-Lieutenant of County Fermanagh.

Following the Installation, HRH undertook a Commandery of Ards Investiture, recognising the contribution of the inspiring St John NI volunteers. Many congratulations to all the postulants, which included the Lord-Lieutenant of Belfast, Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle, CBE, who was invested as a Dame of the Order of St John.

HRH was received at St Anne's Cathedral by Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Belfast Sir Nigel Hamilton, KCB, DL  and the Dean of ​Belfast, The Very Reverend Stephen Forde.

Sincere thanks to the Order of St John Chancellor, Dr Gillian Willmore, GCStJ, the Prior of England and The Islands, Surgeon Rear Admiral Lionel Jarvis, CBE, KStJ, DL, and Order Deputy Director of Ceremonies, Andrew Latham, KStJ, for coming over especially to attend and support the event.

Representatives from St John Ireland and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta also attended, along with The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Lady Mary Peters, LG, CH, DBE, DStJ, and former Knight Commander of Ards, Sir William Hall, KCVO, KStJ,  amongst many others.

The Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, received Their Royal Highnesses The Earl & Countess of Wessex at the Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum, Lisburn, this afternoon. The Lord-Lieutenant introduced TRHs to Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Alderman Stephen Martin, and Chief Executive, David Burns.

The Earl and Countess visited Lisburn Museum, undertaking a tour of its award-winning ‘Flax to Fabric’ exhibition, tracing the history of linen production in Ulster. Their Royal Highnesses also viewed live spinning demonstration. During their visit, The Earl and Countess had the opportunity to view the design and watch the museum’s handloom weaver weaving a damask linen napkin commissioned to mark the granting of Royal status to nearby Hillsborough Village

TRHs were on a two day visit to Northern Ireland. They spent the night at Hillsborough Castle and also undertook engagements in Armagh and Down, including attending the Balmoral Show. 

The Lord-Lieutenant was joined by his Lord-Lieutenant Cadet Cadet Company Sergeant Major Ciara McKay, Antrim Detachment, 1st (NI) Bn ACF.

The Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council news article can be found here.

The Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, received HRH The Earl of Wessex, Royal Colonel 2nd Battalion The Rifles, at Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn.

​HRH visited the battalion and took part in a medal presentation ceremony. 

The Princess Royal visited Antrim Castle Gardens, Randalstown Road, Antrim and was received by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell. The Lord-Lieutenant then introduced HRH to the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Billy Webb MBE JP, and Chief Executive of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Mrs Jacqui Dixon.

HRH toured the gardens, met Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council Council staff and local volunteers and then presented the Friends of Antrim Castle Gardens with their Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for volunteer groups.

The Lord-Lieutenant was joined by his Lord-Lieutenant Cadet, Cadet Sergeant Major Emma Ellison, of 1st (NI) Bn ACF. 

More information can be found on the Council website here.

​Her Royal Highness then attended a reception at Hillsborough Castle for representatives from the Counties of Northern Ireland. HRH spoke with local healthcare professionals who have been working throughout the pandemic in hospitals and the community. The Lord-Lieutenant was in attendance and presented three volunteers from County Antrim. 

The Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, was delighted to receive HRH The Duchess of Cornwall to Lisburn, as part of HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall's two day tour of Northern Ireland. 

HRH visited 2nd Battalion the Rifles (2 Rifles), at Thiepval Barracks, Lisburn, in her capacity of Colonel-in-Chief of the Rifles Regiment. 

The Lord-Lieutenant was accompanied by two of his Lord-Lieutenant Cadets:

Cadet Colour Sergeant Major Emma Ellison
1st (NI) Bn Army Cadet Force, Larne. Arms/Corp Affiliation - Royal Irish Regiment
​
Cadet Sergeant Robert Allen
1st (NI) Bn Army Cadet Force, Carrickfergus. Arms/Corp Affiliation - Royal Engineers

It was also Robert's 18th birthday so HRH joined the Lord-Lieutenant in wishing Robert a very happy birthday. 

 
​The Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, was delighted to welcome HRH The Earl of Wessex to Lisburn today. 

HRH, as Royal Colonel, firstly visited the 2nd Bn The Rifles, at Thiepval Barracks, Lisburn.

The Lord-Lieutenant then received HRH afterwards at Lisburn City Church Community Trust, 1 Graham Gardens, to recognise their efforts during COVID-19. 

​HRH then visited Unicorn Group, The Green, Riverbank, Tullynacross Road, Lisburn.  Unicorn Group, which manufactures a range of washroom products, medical bins for hospitals and floor tiles, welcomed HRH The Earl of Wessex to its Lambeg headquarters today where it has ramped up production of its Pursan alcohol hand cleansing product in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. 
 
The visit saw HRH tour the factory and learn about the manufacturing process behind the company’s flagship product as well as discovering the other elements of the market that Unicorn Group has successfully developed over its history.
Established over 20 years ago, Unicorn Group employs more than 80 staff and exports its extensive portfolio of products including hand and surface hygiene range, washroom products, medical and recycling bins, vending machines and floor tiles globally.

A surge in demand for hand cleanser during the current pandemic has seen the firm increase production of its Pursan product range, primarily its 70% alcohol hand cleanser. 

Speaking about the visit, Roger Pannell, CEO of Unicorn Group said: “It was an honour to meet HRH The Earl of Wessex and show him round the facility. It was the perfect antidote to the pressures and uncertainty that have come hand in hand with this pandemic. 

“Our staff have worked tirelessly over the past six months to ensure our increased demand is met, against a backdrop of challenges that have left no business or home untouched. Their commitment across the Group has been a huge help during this difficult time. Being able to showcase their efforts to HRH The Earl of Wessex was a moment of pride and gratitude for Unicorn Group.

HRH completed the day with an engagement in County Down.

 
​​The Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, was delighted to welcome HRH The Prince of Wales to County Antrim today. The Lord-Lieutenant greeted HRH in Mallusk, Newtownabbey, on his arrival to see Henderson Foodservices, where he learned about some of the fantastic work that has been undertaken during COVID-19. 

The visit was part of a day trip to Northern Ireland by TRHs The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. TRHs also undertook engagements in Belfast and at Hillsborough Castle. 

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, as Patron of the Butler Trust, this afternoon visited HM Prison Maghaberry, in Lisburn, County Antrim, and was received by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell. This was the first royal visit to County Antrim of the new decade.

In her role as Patron of the Butler Trust, HRH toured Davis House, a new £54 million state of the art facility incorporating 372 cells, where she spoke to staff, listening to their experiences and how they support people to change. 

​For further information, please view the Belfast Telegraph article on the visit by clicking here.

HRH The Earl of Wessex had two engagements in County Antrim on Thursday 10th October and he was received by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell. 

As Royal Colonel, he visited 2nd Battalion The Rifles at Thiepval Barracks, Lisburn and afterwards, as a Trustee The Duke of Edinburgh's Award,  the Belfast Activity Centre, the Stable Yard, Barnett Demense.

Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, County Antrim hosted the 148th Open Championship in July 2019. It was the first time The Open had returned to County Antrim and Northern Ireland since 1951.

​HRH the Duke of York attended the Championship as past Captain of the R&A and was greeted by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, Mr David McCorkell, which was his first Royal Visit since taking over as Lord-Lieutenant from Mrs Joan Christie, CVO, OBE.

The title of the Champion Golfer of the Year for 2019 was appropriately won by Irishman Shane Lowry.