Reportage
In Northern Ireland, loyalists welcome Charles III between hope and exasperation
Audio 01:20
King Charles III and his wife, Queen Consort Camilla, during a walkabout in Belfast on September 13.
AFP - NIALL CARSON
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
During Charles III's visit to Belfast on Tuesday, September 13, the political leaders of the two enemy communities put their differences aside to salute with one voice the Queen's role in the peace process.
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With our special correspondent in Belfast
, Laura Taouchanov
Loyalists were present in large numbers on Tuesday to welcome King Charles III to
Northern Ireland
, the second leg of his four-nation tour.
They gathered in front of Saint-Anne Cathedral, where the king attended a tribute ceremony in memory of the late queen, in the cultural district of the capital where
politics usually has no place
.
For them, this is an important moment.
Claire is there for
the king
, but above all to send a message to her Republican neighbors: “
We grew up with royalty and I hope that will continue.
There are thousands of people out today, it sends a message to everyone in favor of the monarchy.
Long may she reign!
»
In front of the political leaders of the two communities, Charles III praised
his mother's
efforts to reunite those whom history had separated.
Efforts that have not yet paid off, regrets Katie, her eyes filling with tears.
"
When the queen died, the other side celebrated with fireworks
," she said.
“
The only difference with the 1970s is that there are no more bombs or shootings.
There is no peace, we do not live in community!
There is so much bitterness
,” she adds.
"People are fed up"
Arrived from Edinburgh, where they joined the tens of thousands of people gathering at the coffin of Elizabeth II, Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla went into contact with the public massed in front of Hillsborough Castle.
“
With a shining example before me, and with the help of God, I take up my new duties, determined to seek the well-being of all the people of Northern Ireland
,” the monarch told Parliament, at the stopped for months.
For their part, Robert and Michaël prefer to remain positive.
"
Why couldn't he fix things?"
If anyone can do it, it's him
,” says Michaël.
“
Well, let's hope so.
He should take care of the protocol
(North-Irish, Editor's note)
, people are fed up
, ”says Robert.
These stalwarts of the British Crown hope that on the next royal trip, they will be out of this political and religious impasse.
For King Charles III, the four nations tour will continue in Wales.
He will be in Cardiff from Friday.
►Also read
: Charles III in Northern Ireland: the four-nation tour takes a political turn
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