Catch of the day! Charles and Camilla chuckle as they meet a fishmonger at Cork's English Market as they kick off their two-day visit to the Republic of Ireland

  • Prince Charles, 69, and the Duchess of Cornwall, 70, arrived in Cork on Thursday
  • The royal couple are kicking off a two-day visit to the Republic of Ireland
  • Flag-waving crowds gathered to welcome Charles and Camilla to the city

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall appeared in excellent spirits as they kicked off a two-day visit to the Republic of Ireland on Thursday. 

Charles, 69, and Camilla, 70, were met by flag-waving crowds as they arrived in Cork on the first day of the trip, which is being made at the Government's request.

Their first stop was the historic English Market in the city, where they were spotted chuckling as they shared a light-hearted moment with a fishmonger. 

Later the heir to the throne and his wife attended a civic reception at Cork's City Hall where the prince gave a speech to invited guests.

Charles and Camilla's first stop in Cork was the historic English Market in the city, where they were spotted chuckling as they shared a light-hearted moment with a fishmonger

Charles and Camilla's first stop in Cork was the historic English Market in the city, where they were spotted chuckling as they shared a light-hearted moment with a fishmonger

Pat O'Connell, the owner of a fish stall, showed the royals fresh salmon caught a short distance from the market in the River Lee

Pat O'Connell, the owner of a fish stall, showed the royals fresh salmon caught a short distance from the market in the River Lee

Mr O'Connell described the visit as 'fantastic' for the city and 'fantastic' for the market 

Mr O'Connell described the visit as 'fantastic' for the city and 'fantastic' for the market 

The market began trading meat in 1788 before fish, vegetable, fruit and other stalls were added.

Today it serves all markets, from those wanting the latest trends in cuisine to locals buying traditional fare such as tripe or blood pudding known as drisheen.

Pat O'Connell, the owner of a fish stall, showed the royals fresh salmon caught a short distance from the market in the River Lee.

'It's been an incredible visit,' he said. 'It's fantastic for Cork city, fantastic for the English market and fantastic for local Irish produce.' 

Later on in the day they attended civic reception at Cork's City Hall where Charles gave a speech 

Later on in the day they attended civic reception at Cork's City Hall where Charles gave a speech 

Camilla looked deep in conversation as she listened to her husband speech with  Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney

Camilla looked deep in conversation as she listened to her husband speech with  Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney

The Duke of Cornwall shared a joke with guests as the couple walked into the event today 

The Duke of Cornwall shared a joke with guests as the couple walked into the event today 

Charles looked like he was listening intently at the event, his second engagement of the day

Charles looked like he was listening intently at the event, his second engagement of the day

The Prince of Wales sampled local wine during a visit to the 230-year-old market on Thursday

The Prince of Wales sampled local wine during a visit to the 230-year-old market on Thursday

Mr O'Connell said the welcome afforded to the prince was evidence of how far relations between the UK and Ireland have improved.

'I think he expected a good welcome but this was way more than he expected really,' he said. 'It's how far we've come and let's keep going on that road.'

The royal couple have spent the last few days touring Northern Ireland

The Duchess of Cornwall looked thoughtful as she mulled over the flavours of her own glass

The Duchess of Cornwall looked thoughtful as she mulled over the flavours of her own glass

Camilla admired delicately frosted cupcakes at a sweet treat stall inside the market

Camilla admired delicately frosted cupcakes at a sweet treat stall inside the market

The royals posed with cake cutters before slicing into a freshly baked creation

The royals posed with cake cutters before slicing into a freshly baked creation

Camilla and Charles unveil a plaque as they visit the English Market 

Camilla and Charles unveil a plaque as they visit the English Market 

Today's events are part of a busy week for the royal couple. 

The couple will carry out separate itineraries with the prince visiting University College Cork, the National Maritime College of Ireland and a naval base, while the duchess will tour the Cuanlee Refuge, and the National Guide Dogs Training Centre.

Clarence House said about the visit to the Republic: 'Made at the request of the British Government, their royal highnesses' visit to Ireland will highlight the essential partnership and friendship between the two nations, as well as the deep connections between their people.

The day took a rather unusual turn when Charles visited a hut in the grounds of College Cork

The day took a rather unusual turn when Charles visited a hut in the grounds of College Cork

The prince had to duck to enter and exist the bizarre construction much to his amusement
Charles was far from dressed for the activity in his navy suit

The prince had to duck to enter and exits the bizarre construction much to his amusement

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall kicked off a two-day visit to the Republic of Ireland on Thursday. Pictured, the royal couple with Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney (second from left) and Lord Mayor of Cork Tony Fitzgerald (left)

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall kicked off a two-day visit to the Republic of Ireland on Thursday. Pictured, the royal couple with Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney (second from left) and Lord Mayor of Cork Tony Fitzgerald (left)

'This is the fourth visit their royal highnesses have made to Ireland in as many years, and offers a further opportunity to celebrate the enduring nature of the relationship.'

After visiting Belfast on Tuesday the couple ended their visit by travelling to Omagh on Wednesday, travelling to the scene of one of the biggest mass killings in the Northern Ireland conflict.

The heir to the throne and his wife reflected in silence at a memorial garden dedicated to 29 people and two unborn babies killed by the Real IRA Omagh car bomb blast in August 1998. 

Charles, 69, and Camilla, 70, were met by flag-waving crowds as they arrived in Cork on the first day of the trip, which is being made at the Government's request

Charles, 69, and Camilla, 70, were met by flag-waving crowds as they arrived in Cork on the first day of the trip, which is being made at the Government's request

Prince Charles today
The Duchess of Cornwall today

The royal couple, pictured today, have spent the last few days touring Northern Ireland

Charles appeared in good spirits as he greeted Lord Mayor of Cork Tony Fitzgeral

Charles appeared in good spirits as he greeted Lord Mayor of Cork Tony Fitzgeral

Charles waved to crowds of well-wishers who gathered at the English Market this morning

Charles waved to crowds of well-wishers who gathered at the English Market this morning

The royal was accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney, pictured

The royal was accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney, pictured

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