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Royal couple attend garden party Royal couple attend garden party
(about 8 hours later)
The Queen and Prince Philip are visiting Northern Ireland. The Queen and Prince Philip have visited Northern Ireland.
The royal couple attended a garden party, at the University of Ulster in Coleraine - hosted by Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain.The royal couple attended a garden party, at the University of Ulster in Coleraine - hosted by Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain.
It was being held in recognition of the work of the community and voluntary sector.It was being held in recognition of the work of the community and voluntary sector.
Her Majesty was presented with a posy by 10-year-old Robyn McNutt, the daughter of a member of the university staff.Her Majesty was presented with a posy by 10-year-old Robyn McNutt, the daughter of a member of the university staff.
The pupil from Good Shepherd Primary School in Londonderry said she had beenlooking forward to her role for days.
"I was a wee bit nervous, but not much," she smiled.
The Queen last visited the County Londonderry town 30 years ago as part of her Jubilee tour.
That visit was marred by a republican bomb scare near the university, but nothing untoward happened to spoil Friday's visit.
For university staff present on her last visit during the 1977 Jubilee year,the contrasting security arrangements were remarkable.
Dr Tom Stark, a retired senior lecturer in economics who was just starting outon his academic career at the time, said: "The change since then has beenastonishing.
"Back then we weren't allowed to drive in that day, we had to leave our carson the other side of Coleraine and get bussed in."
Father Kevin Mullan, a priest based in Omagh at the time of the Real IRA bombatrocity in the town which killed 29 people, expressed his gratitude to theQueen for all she has done to strengthen relationships.
First Minister Ian Paisley greeted the Queen
He said: "I thank her for her work in bringing healing between the twoislands. She has been a pivotal figure in her own quiet way.
"And I also told her that Prince Charles has done a lot for Omagh since thebombing."
With such a broad cross section attending the event, Mr Hain insisted it showedhow Northern Ireland was now able to look forward.
He said: "Everybody of different views and different cultures can also beincluded.
"What has happened is that instead of a royal visit being a highly politicisedevent, it's now just seen as a much more normal event in which people can paytheir respects.
"They don't have to see any constitutional significance in that if they don'twant to. That has allowed it to become part of a process of normalisation."
The royal couple were welcomed to Northern Ireland by Mr Hain, First Minister Ian Paisley and other high-profile politicians.The royal couple were welcomed to Northern Ireland by Mr Hain, First Minister Ian Paisley and other high-profile politicians.
The Queen unveiled a plaque and signed the visitor's book before being presented with 24 Castle of Mey daffodil bulbs, named after a former holiday home of the late Queen Mother.The Queen unveiled a plaque and signed the visitor's book before being presented with 24 Castle of Mey daffodil bulbs, named after a former holiday home of the late Queen Mother.
The monarch last visited Northern Ireland in October 2006, to attend the parade and final review of the Royal Irish Regiment.The monarch last visited Northern Ireland in October 2006, to attend the parade and final review of the Royal Irish Regiment.