Kate and William meet firefighters on surprise trip to Northern Ireland

Firefighters recall Kate asking if William could drive a red engine

Firefighters who met the Prince and Princess of Wales on their surprise visit to Northern Ireland said the princess jokingly asked for the sirens to be put on as the couple took a trip in a fire engine.

William and Kate made an unannounced visit to the country on Tuesday to celebrate opportunities in rural areas and the potential of young entrepreneurs.

It is the first time they have visited Belfast in three years, and comes weeks after their last joint public engagement in September 2024, when they visited Southport following the fatal attack at a dance class.

As part of their trip, the couple visited a new £50m fire service training centre in Cookstown, County Tyrone, where they were given a tour and saw training at the college firsthand.

William and Kate made made an unannounced visit to Northern Ireland on Tuesday (PA)

They saw instructors at work training the next generation how to tackle a range of challenges, from saving flood victims to rescuing casualties from highrise buildings.

They tried their hand at saving mock casualties who had fallen into the raging torrents of a flood simulator - but failed to throw the line quickly enough.

The couple tried their hand at saving mock casualties who had fallen into the raging torrents of a flood simulator (PA)

Newly qualified firefighters Caoimhe McNeice, 25, and Piarais McCaffery, 32, joined the couple as they were driven a short distance in a red engine.

They claimed Kate had joked that she would have loved to “drive at the real speed and have the sirens on”, and had asked if William could take the wheel.

The Princess of Wales speaks with assistant chief fire and rescue officer Mark Deeney (PA)

Ms McNeice said about the driver: “He got us there safely, I think he was on a limit for his speed. The princess was wanting the sirens on, but he was strictly told no.

“It was just a bit of banter. She said: ‘I’d love to drive at the real speed and have the sirens on.’”

Firefighters who met the Prince and Princess of Wales claimed the princess asked for the sirens to be put on as they took a trip in a fire engine (PA)

Kate also wanted her husband to take the wheel, Ms McNeice said. “She was wanting the prince to drive, but the driver got us there anyway.”

They were shown around by Aidan Jennings, chief fire and rescue officer for Northern Ireland, who described it as a privilege and “a proud and unforgettable day” for the service.

According to The Times, he said: “I’m honoured that the prince and princess witnessed firsthand how the real-life scenario-based training facilities are revolutionising how we train and develop our people.”

Kensington Palace said the couple would “spend the day visiting innovative organisations that showcase growth and investment in rural areas and demonstrate entrepreneurial and creative opportunities for young people”.

William and Kate visited Belfast three years ago, when they took part in a cocktail-making race at a market and visited Carrickfergus.