The Princess of Wales beamed as she and Prince William took part in a spirited cocktail-making race during a surprise visit to Northern Ireland.
William and Kate are fulfilling a a number of engagements with cross-community organisations in the region that provide support to people from all backgrounds - and said on Twitter it is "wonderful to be back in Northern Ireland". During one engagement, the couple visited Trademarket outdoor market in Belfast, where they had a go behind the bar. William and his wife laughed during the duel to be the quickest to make the potent drink, before the Prince of Wales was declared the winner.
They met with local entrepreneur, Will Neill, and heard about his aim to showcase new businesses while also increasing footfall in a less visited area of the city centre.
They also met with representatives from Kainos, a Belfast-based software company who came on board and provided the site for the market at a peppercorn rent, and heard about the measures that have been put in place to ensure the site is both ethically and environmentally sustainable, including the removal of single use plastics and a commitment to paying staff a real living wage.
Earlier in the day, the began their trip with a visit to suicide prevention charity PIPS in north Belfast.
Lord mayor Tina Black and Sinn Fein MP for the constituency John Finucane were among those who welcomed the royal couple on arrival. Inside, 12-year-old Elyse Quinn, the daughter of the charity’s executive director Renee Quinn, presented the princess with a bouquet of flowers.
PIPS was founded in 2003 following the loss of 14 young people to suicide in Belfast over a short period of time the previous year.
Compelled to act, stakeholders from across the city came together to try to tackle the issue.
During their visit, William and Kate, who dressed in a pale blue blouse and coat, spoke with staff about their work helping people at risk of suicide and self-harm.
The charity also arranged for them to take part in an art therapy session – painting pumpkins – with some vulnerable children who have been supported by PIPS.
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the organisation has seen a significant rise in those reaching out for help. That includes an increase of more than 500 per cent among young people.
At the close of their visit, the prince and princess were invited to join a group of volunteer counsellors in packing up the charity’s Little Boxes of Hope.
The support packages are given to children following their time with PIPS to assist their ongoing recovery and ensure that their parents and guardians feel better equipped to cope.
It's been a busy few days for the royal couple, with both carrying solo engagements yesterday linked to causes close to their hearts.
They later visited Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, where they are stopped off at a youth charity. The royal couple were greeted by cheering crowds who had lined the streets and Kate held a baby for the second time in two days.
They learned about the work of Carrick Connect, which offers support services to local young people experiencing social or emotional difficulties.
The royal couple were told about some of the projects the organisation is currently implementing in the community, and meeting with their team of mentors and some of the young people who benefit from the projects.
Kate was at the Royal Surrey County Hospital where she tenderly cradled a newborn baby during a surprise visit to the maternity unit where she met mothers and their infants.
Kate also met with staff from the Jasmine team, which helps women affected by mental health illnesses during pregnancy and the initial postnatal period.
Elsewhere, William visited St George's Park, the national football centre for England, in his role as president of the FA - to mark the centre's 10th anniversary.
Early years care will continue to be Kate's major focus in her role as the Princess of Wales, and her visit was part of a series by the royal couple this week to showcase their continuing key interests.
