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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Kyle O'Sullivan

Camilla's touching response to girl's drawing of Queen as corgi licks King Charles

King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla have been greeting crowds in Northern Ireland - and had heartwarming interactions with members of the public and a corgi. While preparations are made to fly the Queen's coffin to London, the new King and his wife have been thanking wellwishers after touching down in Belfast.

After landing at George Best Airport around midday, they were welcomed by flag-waving and cheering supporters on their arrival at Hillsborough Castle in Co Down, the royal residence in Northern Ireland. Not wanting to miss out, an adorable corgi in the crowd called Connie snuggled up to Charles when its owner held it up during the walkabout by the royal couple.

King Charles III was greeted by a cute corgi while Camilla was given a drawing (Getty Images)

For the latest updates as the world mourns the Queen and King Charles III's reign begins, follow our live blog.

While the new King entertained the cute pet pooch, the Queen Consort shook hands with members of the public and was given a drawing of the late Queen.

The Moffett family, from Banbridge, gave Camilla the canvas picture which had been drawn by 11-year-old Grace after the Queen's death was announced.

"I drew it because she did lots for our country and she meant a lot to many people," Grace explained.

"It is part of my history and my teachers loves the King. We were very excited to meet them. It felt like it wasn’t real, like it is only on TV."

Jane Moffett, who brought Grace, 12-year-old Emily Moffett and Lucy King, 11, revealed the touching reply Camilla gave after receiving the artwork.

"We were brought right up to the front gates of the castle and got to squeeze in and get a glimpse of the couple," said Jane.

"A lady took the picture from Grace and gave it to the Queen Consort. It was a canvas of a drawing that Grace did of the Queen. It was two halves, the first being a younger version and then the other an older version.

"The Queen Consort said the picture was wonderful."

The King pointed his finger at the pet pooch (Getty Images)

Suzi Pickering was among those in the crowd to speak to the King and Queen Consort in Hillsborough.

Ms Pickering, from the 1st Hillsborough Brownies, attended the event with a number of other associated groups, including the Guides and the Rangers.

"It's all very exciting. King Charles shook all of the girls' hands and the Queen Consort as well," she said.

"He asked the girls if they had escaped from a very important school lesson to be here. They were all very excited. A lot of giggling and 'yeses' going on. The Queen Consort Camilla asked which guiding association they were from as well.

"They took a lot of interest in us, particularly Camilla as she was interested in who they were and where they were from. They all got to shake their hands, which is so exciting for them.

"It is a huge honour to be part of history. The last few days is all about history and something they will remember as well.

"They are such lovely people and seem so genuine and want to be amongst everyone and means a lot to them that everyone is so supportive of them."

King Charles III, with the Queen Consort, speaking after receiving a Message of Condolence by Alex Maskey (PA)

The King and Queen held a private audience with the new Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris, as well as leaders of the five main political parties and the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The couple then received a message of condolence on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland from the speaker of the Stormont Assembly Alex Maskey.

Thousands of well-wishers have been queuing up for hours overnight and today to file past the Queen's coffin at St Giles' Cathedral in the Scottish capital.

The Queen's coffin arrived in a procession led by her children in Edinburgh on Monday as it was taken from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to the nearby St Giles' Cathedral

The hearse was flanked by a Bearer Party found by The Royal Regiment of Scotland and The King’s Body Guard for Scotland.

The Princess Royal's husband, Sir Tim Laurence, was a a few steps behind the royal siblings, while Queen Consort Camilla and Sophie, Countess of Wessex followed behind in a car.

The coffin was lifted out of the hearse and brought into the place of worship as the choir sang Thou Wilt Keep Him In Perfect Peace, Whose Mind Is Stayed On Thee.

King Charles III, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex walk behind Queen Elizabeth II's coffin during the procession (PA)

People lining the route clapped as the procession made its way along the route to the cathedral - with one women shouting "God bless the Queen" as the hearse made its way past.

Dogs could be heard barking as the hearse continued its procession on a bright sunny day in Edinburgh, while members of the public held their phones high to capture images of the historic event.

The coffin was draped with the Royal Standard in Scotland and dressed with a wreath of flowers consisting of white Spray Roses, white Freesias, white button chrysanthemums, dried white heather from Balmoral, spray eryngium, foliage, rosemary, hebe, and pittosporum.

Charles and his siblings stood in guard around their mother's body as they held a vigil last night.

* This weekend, the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror celebrate the life of Her Majesty the Queen with a commemorative special filled with all the key moments from Britain’s longest reigning monarch. Be sure to pick up your copy of the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror to get poth pullouts.

You can leave your tributes to Queen Elizabeth II here

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