King Charles had an awkward — and very public — encounter with a seagull during a visit to Northern Ireland after the bird left droppings on the back of his suit jacket while greeting crowds in Newcastle.
The British monarch was visiting the seaside town as part of his latest trip to Northern Ireland when the incident happened just moments before he began meeting members of the public gathered behind barriers along the town’s main street.
The seagull struck suddenly, splattering droppings across the bottom of Charles’s jacket and also hitting people nearby, including members of the press pack covering the visit.
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Despite the mishap, the King appeared unfazed and quickly joked about the incident with onlookers.
Local woman Irene Marting, from Dromara near Lisburn, said she and her sister Paula Leitch had been speaking to Charles after witnessing the moment from across the street.
“We were talking to the king about the seagull and he said ‘it’s well it didn’t land on my head’,” she recalled.
Marting said someone nearby had suggested the King put on a coat afterwards, but he declined.
“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,” she added.
“We’re so thrilled he’s come to Northern Ireland to see us and it’s really nice to see him in Newcastle.”
Earlier in the day, Charles visited the Pantry Foodbank at Donard Methodist Church in Newcastle, where he praised volunteers for their work supporting families and individuals in need.
The King was tasked with helping to pack food boxes containing bread, vegetables, toiletries and tinned goods alongside volunteers from the charity.
Foodbank chairman John O’Neill explained that one of the parcels was intended for a single person, while other boxes were prepared for families.
During the visit, Charles drew laughs from volunteers when he picked up a toilet roll and remarked: “Very important.”
He also described the work carried out by the volunteers as “amazing.”
King Charles and Queen Camilla. Alessia Pierdomenico, Shutterstock
Meanwhile, Queen Camilla carried out a separate engagement in Royal Hillsborough, where she visited the Parson’s Nose pub and restaurant and tried her hand at pouring a pint of Guinness.
As she prepared the pint, Camilla joked with staff and visitors: “Not quite the expert, but my husband is.”
She later received applause for her efforts behind the bar.
