The announcement that Britain's Prince William has become the Baron of Carrickfergus has been welcomed by the town's unionist mayor Jim McClurg.
“It’s an extreme thrill for the people of Carrickfergus to have this honour bestowed on them,” the DUP man said.
“It’s taken us completely by surprise. We certainly hope this means we can expect a special royal visitor in the near future.”
Similar parties were largely confined to unionist communities across Northern Ireland.
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However, in an area of west Belfast once blighted by sectarian violence the residents of the mainly Protestant Suffolk estate reportedly invited residents from nearby nationalist areas to
join their celebrations.
PA