Members of the archdiocesan community recently met royalty, with King Charles III visiting the Isle of Man, and Queen Camilla welcoming Religious Sisters including Sr Lynne Baron to Clarence House.

The King, who holds the title Lord of Mann, made his first official visit to the island since his coronation in 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Whilst he was there, he addressed the Manx parliament, praising the history of the island and its [EW1.1]native language.

Among the people he spoke to on his tour, was Fr John Hindley, currently Parochial Administrator of Our Lady Star of the Sea and St Maughold parish in Ramsey and St Patrick in Peel.

Reflecting on the experience, Fr John said: “I was stood outside the Manx parliament, Tynwald, where The King gave a short speech to the members.  

“I was stood behind a group of children from St Mary's Primary School, the only Catholic school on the island who were accompanied by staff and St Mary's parish priest, Canon Philip Gillespie.

“The King left the House of Keys [Manx parliament building] and he walked across the road to where we were stood.  

“He spoke to Canon Gillespie and moved along the crowd.  I put out my hand to shake his and said: 'Your Majesty'.  He jokingly asked me if all the children around me were mine.  Then he moved on.”

Meanwhile, Sr Lynne Baron was part of a delegate from the International Superior General to visited Clarence House to see Queen Camilla.

As well as Sr Lynne, the audience also consisted of Sr Roxanne Schares, Executive Secretary of UISG, Sr Abby Avelino, International Coordinator of Talitha Kum and Sr Maamalifar M. Poreku, Executive Secretary of UISG-USG Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation.

They met with Her Royal Highness to share the impact of their past year, helping vulnerable women and girls around the world.

This meeting came nine months after they met with both King Charles III and Queen Camilla during their state visit to the Holy See.