Prince Charles began a two-day visit to Northern Ireland yesterday with a list of public engagements in Belfast.
He officially opened the new £71 million Royal Victoria Hospital in west Belfast, 100 years after Edward VII opened the original building.
The prince also visited the headquarters of the Police Service of Northern Ireland in east Belfast to open a memorial garden dedicated to RUC officers who died while in service, including the 302 murdered during the Troubles.
The prince was met at Belfast City Airport by the Northern Secretary, Mr Paul Murphy, and taken to Disability Action, a charity, for a function to highlight the EU year for people with disabilities.
He was later driven across the city to the Royal Hospital's complex on the Falls Road, where he unveiled a plaque marking the official opening of first phase in the hospital's redevelopment.
Security was high-profile yet relaxed for the royal visit to the Sinn Féin constituency. Hospital workers and onlookers gave the Prince of Wales a warm welcome as his motorcade swept up to the hospital entrance, where he was greeted by the Health Minister, Ms Angela Smith.
He was taken on a tour of the intensive care unit and a fractures clinic, before meeting groups of people associated with the hospital redevelopment.
In a short and apparently unscripted address, he congratulated the hospital on its reputation and praised the dedication of those who cared for the sick.
He cited some of the many changes in care since his great-great grandfather opened the original hospital, including the introduction of intensive care.
The prince was driven the short distance to Christ Church in the city centre where he saw the restoration project there.
The building is claimed to be the last remaining example of Georgian Belfast and the restoration is being handled by Belfast Buildings Preservation Trust and the Royal Belfast Academical Institution.
Prince Charles, running well behind schedule at this stage, was then taken to the headquarters of the PSNI in Knock in east Belfast.
There he opened the memorial garden constructed in memory of the former RUC.
The George Cross garden, associated with the honour accorded the former police force by Queen Elizabeth, is costing more than £1 million. The project will include a police museum.
The leaders of the four main churches joined more than 700 invited guests at a reception in the headquarters' grounds.
The Catholic primate of All-Ireland, Dr Seán Brady; the Most Rev Lord Eames, primate of the Church of Ireland; Dr Ivan McKay, the Presbyterian Moderator; and the Rev James Rea, the Methodist President, took part in a short service of dedication.
The prince also met Mr Hugh Orde, the Chief Constable, and former chief constables Sir Ronnie Flanagan and Sir Jack Hermon.
The prince then left for Hillsborough where last night he hosted a private dinner for members of Business in the Community. His visit continues today.