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A Rowallane councillor has claimed a council has run a “media blackout” of King Charles during a visit by the British Monarch to the district.
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King Charles III and Queen Camilla travelled to Newcastle during a recent two day engagement in Northern Ireland.
The day at the seaside town made the worldwide headlines when bird droppings landed on the King’s jacket, with him making light of it, saying: “At least it didn’t land on my head.”
Councillor Callum Bowsie said: “There was a newspaper photograph in the Mourne Observer of the then council chairman and council CEO greeting the King whenever he arrived in Newcastle. I am sure that was a privilege.
“I was wondering considering that is quite a considerable council engagement and significant event for the council with all the good local charities being promoted, why the council hasn’t publicised anything about it on any of the social media channels.
“I did notice that on the same day they did post about World Bee Day and I know the King is a keen bee-keeper, maybe in it was in honour of him.
“I am quite puzzled by the council, that there has been a communication blackout on that and I am just wondering why that is ?”
During the visit to Hillsborough Castle, the King and Queen recognised the charity work of Newry- based Women’s Aid Armagh Down.
The occasion marked the launch of phase one of the Women’s Aid centre at Downshire Place in Newry.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council CEO Marie Ward responded: “We will certainly pick that up outside (of the meeting).
“There was definitely no intention of a media blackout on it, I actually didn’t even know it wasn’t pushed.”
