Smiles, handshakes and friendship may have been the order of the day for the royal visit to County Donegal.
But beneath all the good-natured banter, there were many serious sides to today’s occasion.
And one of them was the promotion of business.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, today’s Donegal visit offers the opportunity to focus specifically on cross-border co-operation, with particular focus on the growing working relationship at political, business and community levels between counties Donegal and Derry.
It’s noteworthy that, today, the royal couple visited businesses – local businesses, craft businesses – such as the Magee factory and McGettigans’ butcher shop in Donegal town, as well as Glenveagh National Park, described by many as the gem in Donegal’s tourism crown.
It’s well-known Prince Charles is a lover of the local producer as well as a staunch environmental advocate.
Science and higher education are also among his interests.
Today, the places he visited reflected those interests. But they also, as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade points out, showcase Donegal as a tourism destination through UK and international media coverage generated by the visit.
According to department briefing documents, Donegal and Derry City and Strabane District Councils have been working together to build collaborative regional partnerships to drive economic growth in the region.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has allocated 2.5 million euro to the North West Development Fund to support this joint work.
The Derry Chamber and Letterkenny chamber have also been working together to represent the entire north-west region, mirroring the new levels of cooperation being developed by the two local councils.
Now, after today’s royal visit, countless more people about this, and about County Donegal and what it has to offer.
The Prince and Duchess may have been in Donegal for just six hours.
But what that quarter of a day has achieved is immeasurable in terms of marketing and promotion for the county.
In other words, it’s good for business.
