22 June 2021
22 June 2021 was a landmark date in the Centenary year, as it marked 100 years since the opening of the Northern Ireland Parliament by King George V and Queen Mary. The opening of Northern Ireland’s first Parliament took place at Belfast City Hall, and saw locally elected politicians sit for the first time following a general election on 24 May 1921.
Marking this special date, Belfast City Council hosted a flagship Decade of Centenaries Programme event - marking the King's Speech of 22 June 1921.
The event saw Belfast City Council unveiling the chairs used by King George V and Queen Mary in the Council Chamber 100 years ago, following a restoration project funded by the Shared History Fund. The event also included held a re-enactment of the King’s Speech, a talk by Dr. Éamon Phoenix on the context in which the speech was given, a viewing of a specially commissioned play and remarks from Belfast City's Lord Mayor.
You can watch a recording of the the King's Speech at this link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhZ2KlBdXFI