Prince Harry and Meghan Markle make NI visit

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry arrived in Northern Ireland for a visit ahead of their wedding. Credit: PA

Prince Harry and his fiancée Meghan Markle have been greeted with cheers during an unannounced visit to Northern Ireland.

Well-wishers gathered in Belfast during their first official visit as a couple, when they stopped for lunch at the historic Crown Bar on Great Victoria Street.

Prince Harry and Meghan later went for a walk-about to speak with those waiting and hoping to catch a glimpse of them.

The first stop of the day had been at the Eikon Centre outside Lisburn, where they attended an event to mark the second year of a youth-led peace-building initiative.

Amazing the Space was launched by Prince Harry during his previous visit in September 2017.

The couple were greeted by 17-year-old Londonderry students Amber Hamilton from Foyle College, and Ryan Mc Callion from St Joseph's Boys school.

Meghan Markle receives flowers as she and Prince Harry arrive for a visit to the Eikon Exhibition Centre in Lisburn. Credit: PA

Young people from across Northern Ireland showcased the ground-breaking cross community and reconciliation work.

The royal couple received a rapturous reception as they entered the huge performance arena before watching some of the children deliver their "peace pledges".

Meghan Markle looked stylish in a cream coat and top with a green skirt. Credit: PA

Peter Sheridan, chief executive of Co-operation Ireland, welcomed the special visitors.

"To have so many young people in one place proactively speaking out in favour of peace and committing to living their lives through peaceful means can only bode well for society," he said.

"And to have the royal family here to witness it makes it even more powerful."

Prince Harry and his fiancée Meghan then spent the afternoon visiting Belfast's Titanic Quarter.

The centre was voted the world's leading tourist attraction at the prestigious World Travel Awards in 2016.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Titanic Belfast. Credit: Presseye

They also visited tech hub Catalyst Inc in the regenerated docklands of east Belfast, joking about needing a host of baby products in the future as they were shown an innovative range for new-borns.

During the visit to the not-for-profit organisation aimed at nurturing entrepreneurial innovation, the couple also encountered a somewhat gory sight when they met Nuala Campbell, who specialises in prosthetic props for the film industry - including the likes of hit TV series Game Of Thrones.

She showed Harry and Meghan dismembered feet, hands and fingers made from her unique gelatine mix.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in east Belfast. Credit: Presseye