QUEEN'S VISIT: Royal couple visit Causeway

Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh began the second day of their visit to Northern Ireland by experiencing the wonders of the World Heritage Site at the Giant's Causeway.
Tourists await the arrival of the Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh to the Giant's Causeway on the Co Antrim coast during the second day of her visit to Northern Ireland to mark her 90th birthday. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 28, 2016. See PA story ROYAL Ulster. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA WireTourists await the arrival of the Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh to the Giant's Causeway on the Co Antrim coast during the second day of her visit to Northern Ireland to mark her 90th birthday. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 28, 2016. See PA story ROYAL Ulster. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Tourists await the arrival of the Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh to the Giant's Causeway on the Co Antrim coast during the second day of her visit to Northern Ireland to mark her 90th birthday. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 28, 2016. See PA story ROYAL Ulster. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

The Royal couple toured the Causeway Visitor Centre, meeting the admissions team, local crafters guides and volunteers.

They watched a short video before continuing by car to the Giant’s Causeway itself where they were met by National Trust Rangers who point out key features during a short tour.

The Giant’s Causeway has been owned and cared for by the National Trust since 1961. It is one of the most iconic sites in the British Isles.

Two police boats (right) move onlookers away in orange boats ahead of a visit by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh to the Giant's Causeway on the Co Antrim coast during the second day of her visit to Northern Ireland to mark her 90th birthday. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 28, 2016. See PA story ROYAL Ulster. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA WireTwo police boats (right) move onlookers away in orange boats ahead of a visit by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh to the Giant's Causeway on the Co Antrim coast during the second day of her visit to Northern Ireland to mark her 90th birthday. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 28, 2016. See PA story ROYAL Ulster. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Two police boats (right) move onlookers away in orange boats ahead of a visit by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh to the Giant's Causeway on the Co Antrim coast during the second day of her visit to Northern Ireland to mark her 90th birthday. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 28, 2016. See PA story ROYAL Ulster. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

The dramatic rock formation lies at the heart of the Giant’s Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Site - Northern Ireland’s only World Heritage Site.

The new Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre opened in July 2012 and since then, visitors to the World Heritage Site have risen steadily, to over 800,000 annually (with 851,000 in the 2015 calendar year).

Over 100 staff and volunteers are employed at the Giant’s Causeway, to ensure visitors receive a world-class experience and the special site is looked after to the highest possible standards of conservation.

The Centre has won many awards since opening, including the UK Best Heritage Attraction in 2015 in the British Travel Awards, as well as being shortlisted in 2013 for the RIBA Stirling Prize for architecture.