King Charles appeared perfectly at ease, strumming a ukulele during a visit to a community allotment in Co Down.
This entertaining moment occurred at Ards Allotments in Newtownards, marking his first official engagement on the final day of his Northern Ireland tour.
The thriving allotment, which now boasts over 100 plots, was founded by Maurice Patton. He was inspired more than two decades ago after observing the then-Prince of Wales visiting a similar site during a news bulletin.
Mr Patton and his wife, Judith, were present on Thursday to personally welcome the King and guide him through the expansive community space, situated close to Strangford Lough.
Charles engaged with the diverse group of volunteers, gardeners, and growers, observing how the plots foster both the cultivation of produce and vital social connections.
Among those he met were holders of an allotment run by NHS workers and another managed by Decorum NI, an organisation dedicated to supporting former security forces personnel who served during the Troubles.
Entertainment was provided by the Loughries Men’s Shed Ukulele Ensemble who performed a number of traditional folk songs and shanties.
As Charles approached, he was offered a chance to play a ukulele and strummed along for more than a minute before chatting to members of the group, who invited him to their next rehearsal.
Mr Patton told how Charles had inspired him to start the allotment.
He said: “We saw him on TV about 22 years ago when he visited some allotment plots in Dundonald and I thought ‘that’s not a bad idea’.
“I rang up the owners and that is how we started off. Then we had 20 plots and now we have grown to have 104 plot owners.
“We started about 20 years ago. We really just want to get people growing stuff. Some of them are doing it organically, but you do need to put a lot of work in if you are growing organic produce.
“I am so really chuffed that the King came here today. It is not something which happens every day.”
One of those who met with the King was Amy Kelly, who has had a plot at Ards Allotments for almost 10 years.
She said: “We only found out the King was coming yesterday so it was all really hush-hush.
“But it has been really exciting. He has been so genuinely interested and so kind to all of us plot-holders, coming and making lovely comments about our allotments.
“He just seemed to be really genuinely interested in the plants and the wildlife and everything we are doing here. It was amazing.
“I got the chance to talk to him. We do a lot of planting for wildlife and the King was really interested in the plants we grow.
“The big question he asked was can you actually grow enough food on an allotment to actually feed yourself, and the answer was yes and he was really impressed with that.
“He did make one cheeky little comment. I mentioned to him it is hard to get an allotment in Northern Ireland and we are very lucky here. He said it is because they have closed too many of them down.
“So, maybe that’s a call to get us more allotments.”
