Prince William and Kate Middleton arrived in Northern Ireland for a one-day visit as part of a series of engagements planned for the couple.

Armed police kept watch from the rooftops as the Prince and his bride-to-be brought the centre of Belfast to a standstill.

A huge security operation was put in place for the royal visit. They arrived in an eight-car cavalcade, with William and Miss Middleton in the second.

A small crowd cheered in the bright sunshine inside the grounds of City Hall waving miniature Union Jacks as police sealed off streets and diverted traffic.

Heavily-armed police patrolled adjoining and nearby streets, and at one stage used steel rods to check litter bins close to the City Hall gates and grounds.

The couple were met by Lord Mayor Pat Convery and Dame Mary Peters - the Lord Lieutenant of Belfast. They were presented with a framed photograph of City Hall and a book on the building's architectural history.