King Charles III says Queen prayed for Northern Ireland

On his first visit to Northern Ireland as King, Charles III said his mother "never ceased to pray for the best of times for this place and its people".

The King also received a message of condolence from the speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Sinn Féin's Alex Maskey said the Queen recognised how a "small but significant gesture can make a huge difference in changing attitudes".

The royal couple spent just over four hours in Northern Ireland.

Their first engagement was at Hillsborough Castle, the only royal residence in Northern Ireland, which has been a focal point for floral tributes to the late Queen.

The King and Camilla, the Queen Consort, met well-wishers in the County Down village, before the King held a private meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris and senior representatives from Stormont's political parties.

The royal couple then travelled into Belfast for a service in St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast.

Speaking at Hillsborough Castle, the King said the late Queen had seen momentous and historic changes throughout her long reign.

"My mother felt deeply, I know, the significance of the role she herself played in bringing together those who history had separated and extending a hand to make possible the healing of long-held hurts," he said.

"Now, with that shining example before me, and with God's help, I take up my new duties resolved to seek the welfare of all the inhabitants of Northern Ireland."

Starting his speech in Irish, Mr Maskey, Sinn Féin's longest-serving elected representative, said: "Ba mhaith liom comhbhrón a dhéanamh leat ag an am crua seo (I would like to sympathise with you at this difficult time).

"It's extraordinary to consider how much social and political change Queen Elizabeth witnessed... throughout her long reign.

"Yesterday an assembly of unionists, republicans, nationalists and those for whom the Constitution is not a main focus united to pay tribute to the late Queen.

"When she first came to the throne, no one would have anticipated an assembly so diverse and inclusive."

Stormont Speaker Alex Maskey chose his words carefully.

He was there to deliver a message of condolence to the King and Queen consort on the death of the Queen.

But the message he delivered went much further as he reflected on the changing political landscape in Northern Ireland.

And he also used the moment to reflect his frustration at what he called the lack of leadership which was a veiled reference to the Stormont stalemate.

After leaving Hillsborough Castle the royal couple travelled into Belfast to meet leaders from all the major faiths in Northern Ireland before a service of prayer and reflection on the life of Queen Elizabeth II at St Anne's Cathedral.

Prime Minister Liz Truss attended the service, along with Irish President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach (Irish PM) Micheál Martin.

Again, hundreds of people lined the route through the city.

The Reas from Carryduff and the Dolans from Belvoir took the day off school and made their way to City Hall at 08:00 BST to see the royal couple.

"We'll never see anything like this again," said Lisa Dolan.

"It's a once in a lifetime event."

Ms Dolan said she felt sorry for the King being "unable to grieve the way the rest of us would", but understood it was his duty as monarch.

"He's been working towards this his entire life," she added.

Hazelwood Integrated students Jo and James were among those who gathered at Writers' Square, across from St Anne's Cathedral.

They said that as history students, they were excited to be witnessing such an historical event.

"I was a wee bit heartbroken when the queen died - I'm not going to lie," said James.

But he was equally excited to see the new King.

"I had never really thought about the Queen as a force in my life until she died and then it felt like something was missing," Jo said.

At the end of the service, the King and Queen Consort left St Anne's through the west door where they again met members of the public in Writers' Square, before heading back to Belfast City Airport for the return flight to London.