30/06/2004

Business leaders meet Prince Andrew at Garden Party

Prince Andrew met business leaders and senior figures in Northern Ireland when he attended the Secretary of State's garden party at Hillsborough Castle yesterday afternoon.

During the event, the Prince met some of the 2,500 invited guests, many of whom are involved in Business Excellence and Innovation, the theme of the garden party.

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Barry Gardiner, introduced Leslie Morrison, the Chief Executive of Invest NI, who invited His Royal Highness to meet representatives from the Northern Ireland companies who received the Queen's Award for Enterprise 2004. His Royal Highness heard about the work of the five companies - Andor Technology; The McAvoy Group; Nicrobrand; Tobermore Concrete Products and UPU Industries.

Earlier, accompanied by the Lord-Lieutenant of County Down, Colonel William Hall, and the Secretary of State, Paul Murphy, the Prince met PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde and General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland Lieutenant-General Philip Trousdell.

Speaking to the guests, The Secretary of State said: "I am pleased that His Royal Highness has had the opportunity to meet with so many of the guests who are involved in business life in Northern Ireland.

"This Garden Party provides a valuable opportunity to recognise their contribution and to hear at first hand of many different innovative approaches to business."

As part of the engagement, the Secretary of State invited the Prince to plant a tree, assisted by Mr Desmond Reynolds, Gardener at Hillsborough Castle.

Comber Silver Band provided music throughout the afternoon.

(SP)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

29 October 2014
Inter-Party Talks Set To Commence
Negotiations between Northern Ireland's politicians are to once again commence today. Gary Hart, US envoy, will chair the talks. It will be the first he will chair since being appointed to the role by US Secretary of State John Kerry.
19 November 2013
Villiers Begins US Trip
The Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers is embarking on a four-day mission to America to strengthen NI-US relationships and maintain support for the NI Executive and political parties. The Secretary of State's trip to the east coast will see her visit Washington DC, New York and Boston.
08 June 2010
Edward Is Royal Guest At Hillsborough
Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex have arrived in Northern Ireland. They are guests of honour at a garden party in Hillsborough Castle that is being hosted by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
25 June 2018
NI Secretary Of State To Meet With Michel Barnier
NI Secretary of State Karen Bradley is to meet with Michel Barnier, the European Union’s Chief Negotiator today, 25 June. She is expected to reinforce her commitment to upholding Northern Ireland's interests as the UK prepares to leave the EU, and to help secure a deal that works for the entire United Kingdom.
15 May 2006
Charles and Camilla visit NI
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall have today arrived in Northern Ireland for a series of official engagements. The first of today’s duties involved the opening of a new £9m Regional Acquired Brain Injury Unit at Musgrave Park Hospital in Belfast.