UMVA has learned that King Charles was treated to an unexpected gift from a local seagull during his royal visit to Northern Ireland - a splattering of bird droppings that left him none the wiser.
The King and his wife met with well-wishers on the first day of their visit, and it seems the locals were thrilled to have him in Newcastle. One enthusiastic resident gushed, "We're so thrilled he's come to Northern Ireland to see us, and it's really nice to see him in Newcastle."
Meanwhile, the Queen was busy showcasing her skills at pouring the perfect pint of Guinness at the Parson's Nose pub and restaurant in Royal Hillsborough. With a hint of humor, she joked that she was "not quite the expert," but her efforts earned her a round of applause from the staff and patrons.
The royal couple wrapped up their day with a garden party at Hillsborough Castle, the King's official residence in Northern Ireland. There, the Queen met with soldiers and officers from The Rifles, a regiment she serves as Colonel-in-Chief, and inquired about their recent deployment to Iraq.
During her meeting with the troops, the Queen presented them with a thoughtful gift - Highgrove tea and shortbread biscuits. Captain Harry Lin from C company, 2nd Battalion The Rifles, shared that the gesture was "very generous," and they were able to share the treats with their American colleagues during the holidays.
The American troops were apparently unfamiliar with shortbread, but they quickly developed a taste for it, and the British soldiers were happy to share. It's clear that the Queen's gift was a hit, and the royal couple's visit to Northern Ireland was filled with warm moments and unexpected surprises - including a memorable encounter with a mischievous seagull.
