King Charles experienced an unexpected moment during a visit to a Northern Irish seaside town, receiving an unwelcome splattering from a seagull.
The monarch was in Newcastle to celebrate the work of local charities when the avian encounter occurred. He reportedly made light of the incident, which left a mark on the bottom of his suit jacket.
The incident unfolded just as the King was preparing to greet members of the public who had gathered along the main street.
The bird's droppings struck not only Charles but also those around him, including members of the press.
Irene Marting, 64, from Dromara near Lisburn, was among the crowds with her sister Paula Leitch and observed the scene from across the street.
After sharing a joke with Charles about the moment she said: “We were talking to the King about the seagull and he said ‘it’s well it didn’t land on my head’.
“Somebody was trying to get him to put a coat on but he didn’t, being hit by a seagull it’s supposed to be good luck.
“We’re so thrilled he’s come to Northern Ireland to see us and it’s really nice to see him in Newcastle.”
Earlier the King hailed “amazing” foodbank volunteers when he packed boxes of groceries for those in need during his second day in Ulster.
Charles was given the task of filling two boxes with bread, vegetables, tinned goods and toiletries when he met helpers from the Pantry Foodbank based in a church in Newcastle.
He was told by the Pantry’s chairman John O’Neill the items were for one individual and later while looking at boxes destined for a family he made the volunteers laugh when he touched a toilet roll and said “very important”.
Meanwhile the Queen carried out a solo royal visit and joked she was “not quite the expert, but my husband is” while pouring a pint of Guinness in Royal Hillsborough.
At the Parson’s Nose pub and restaurant she was invited to help in pouring a pint of the black stuff after meeting staff and received a round of applause for her efforts.
