Topic analysis

'At least it wasn't on my head': King laughs off bird poo misfortune

King Charles III and Queen Camilla took on separate engagements in different towns during day two of their visit to Northern Ireland. Both were in County Down, with Queen Camilla meeting local businesses in Hillsborough, while the King travelled to the seaside town of Newcastle on Wednesday. Bird droppings landed on the back of the King's jacket during a walkabout in Newcastle, with him making light of it saying: "At least it didn't land on my head." A member of the crowd told him it was a "good luck" sign and the King smiled. King Charles started his day by being presented with a VIP movie ticket when he joined film fans at Newcastle's Community Cinema. He then visited the Pantry Foodbank based in Donard Methodist Church, where he he praised the foodbank volunteers and helped pack boxes of groceries for those in need. Meanwhile, the Queen helped to pour a pint of Guinness at the Parson's Nose pub and restaurant in Hillsborough. She joked she was "not quite the expert, but my husband is" while pouring the pint. She received a round of applause for her efforts. It's his 43rd visit to Northern Ireland, first as Prince of Wales and now as King. On Monday, it was announced that he is due to make his first visit to the Republic of Ireland since becoming King. No date has been confirmed but it is expected to take place next year. The invitation came from Irish President Catherine Connolly, who is currently on an official visit to England . The King's mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, paid a state visit to Ireland in 2011, the first by a British monarch since Irish independence. The first visit by the King to Northern Ireland was back in 1961 with his mother, his father the Duke of Edinburgh and his sister Princess Anne.