THE PRINCE of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall kicked off a four-day tour of Northern Ireland on a tricycle made for two.
The couple were welcomed by hundreds of adoring members of the public who lined the streets of Cookstown, County Tyrone, in the sunshine for the town’s first ever royal visit.
The royal couple walked down part of the 1.2-mile long high street before visiting Super Stars community café where they hopped aboard a bike to rapturous applause from adults with special needs and volunteers who work at the centre.
Making sure the Duchess was safely seated on the trike, the eager Prince then tried to peddle the contraption forwards before the pedals jammed and he quickly realised the brake was on.
After dismounting defeated, the pair then clapped as they watched a performance of Greased Lightning by young adults with learning needs outside the café.
Camilla looked radiant in a tweedy dark green coat by designer Mr Roy teamed with black heeled boots and a shamrock brooch.
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She had earlier helped to make an apple tart and craved a ‘C’ in the pasty top before it was put in the oven.
After being told she looked “wonderful” by a shop worker outside the town’s shoe store, Camilla said: “Thank you. I have to say I am quite hot, I wasn’t expecting this beautiful warm weather. It is wonderful. I could stay here all day.”
May McAvoy, who set the Super Star café up 18-years ago to offer people with special needs opportunities to help her son John who has down syndrome, said she was “overwhelmed” by the visit.
She added: “It is a huge recognition for the work that we do here to have a royal visit.
“And it’s raising the profile for work for the people with learning difficulties.
“It’s very important work that we do, and the more people we can help the better. Over the years we have helped hundreds and hundreds of people.
“I can’t believe how wonderful the Prince and Camilla are, it is a really special day for us all.”
The Prince then toured historic Lissan House, which reached the final of the BBC restoration programme in 2003.
After touring the impressive 17th century home the Prince was given some freshly baked soda bread, which he said was “delicious.”
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He was then introduced to rescue hedgehogs Gill and Felix.
Meeting Gill, who is missing one eye and one leg after being caught by a hedge trimmer, Charles said: “It is awful, awful. It is wonderful that you take care of her.”
