Prince Charles began a three-day visit to the island of Ireland today.

The British monarch is in Belfast today, and will be joined by the Duchess of Cornwall tomorrow.

The royal couple will then travel to Co Donegal for an official visit on Wednesday.

During their visit to Northern Ireland, the pair will visit a number of successful local businesses, some of which work in the food and drink sector, as 2016 is the Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink.

The royal couple will also host a musical evening at Hillsborough Castle which will feature an eclectic programme, with performances from the DIT Harp Ensemble from the Dublin Conservatory of Music & Drama, the Belfast Opera, the “Folk & Trad” group of the Royal Irish Regiment and an appearance by comedian Tim McGarry.

During Wednesday’s visit to Donegal Town, the royal couple will celebrate the area’s heritage by visiting Magee’s – a local company which has been producing tweed for 150 years.

At the Letterkenny Institute of Technology, Charles will meet local entrepreneurs and learn more about the institute’s cross-border programmes, while Camilla will visit a local school.

Finally, at Glenveagh Castle the couple will tour the gardens and meet children who have been learning about some of the conservation work which takes place in Glenveagh National Park.

During his visit to Ireland in May last year Charles made an emotional trip to Mullaghmore in Co Sligo – the picturesque fishing village where his beloved Lord Mountbatten and three others were murdered.

At the time he described Mountbatten as the “‘grandfather I never had” and said the murders had given him a deep understanding of the pain suffered by victims of the 30-year Northern Ireland conflict.