The Queen told him it was “lovely to put a face to the name of a correspondent”, saying he writes “lovely letters”.
She also met Kelly Andrews, chief executive of Belfast and Lisburn Women’s Aid, who had hosted an engagement about domestic violence and human trafficking for a royal visit in 2020.
“I remember that visit well,” said the Queen. “How is it all going?”
Several members of the public told her they hoped the King was doing well, as he undergoes treatment for cancer.
Later in the day, the Queen attended an event to celebrate Northern Ireland’s literary tradition at Hillsborough Castle, the monarch’s official residence.
Hosted by The Queen’s Reading Room and entitled Northern Ireland: Poets and Their Place, it featured some of the country’s most beautiful poetry being read out loud to a group of specially invited guests.
Before the event, the Queen met with Chris Heaton-Harris, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Michelle O’Neill, the First Minister, and Emma Little-Pengelly, the DUP deputy First Minister.
It was the first time the Northern Irish leaders had met a member of the Royal family in their new roles.
Standing the castle’s Red Room, the Queen thanked Mr Heaton-Harris for flying over for the event.
She told Ms O’Neill: “Lovely to see you again. My husband sends you his very, very best wishes.”
“I send him our very best too,” she replied.
Before she left she was given a posy of spring flowers from the garden by Claire Wood, the Hillsborough head gardener.
“Can we send these with our best wishes to The King. He so enjoys walking whenever he comes,” Ms Wood said.
“Thank you so much, that’s very kind. I will definitely take that back to him,” Camilla said.
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