The stage is set.

The eyes of the world’s media will be on Cork today for the first ever visit of HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.

With every inch of the city scrubbed and sparkling and a raft of road and street closures in effect, the oldest indoor market in Europe will once again take centre stage as Cork welcomes some high profile royal guests at around 10.30am.

THE PRIDE OF CORK THIS MORNING pic.twitter.com/lLmlQZjaMa

— pat o connell (@pattheenglishm1) June 14, 2018

As The English Market celebrates its 230th birthday, the royal couple will follow in the footsteps of HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh who took the same tour in 2011.

They’ll be passing the Sir John Benson-designed fountain in the centre, which has been festooned with flowers by local business The Best of Buds.

This gorgeous floral display is coming together nicely in the English Market… it’s all go in preparation for the arrival of HRH Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall tomorrow. #RoyalVisitIreland #RoyalVisitCork #RoyalFamily pic.twitter.com/f3Cjr8zyyo

— Yay Cork (@yaycork) June 13, 2018

As HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall make their way through the market they will stop and engage with several of the market traders and learn a bit more about Corks culinary offering.

The royal couple will then unveil a solid brass plaque to commemorate their visit before being presented with a selection of fresh produce from the English Market to enjoy.

We hope they brought their shopping bags.

Make it pretty! Folks are working around the clock in City Center. pic.twitter.com/Xu7Bb473gP

— My Goodness (@mygoodnessfood) June 13, 2018

At Cork City Hall, the Royal couple will meet up to 150 invited guests who will attend the Lord Mayor’s reception.

‘The Young Offenders’ writer and director, Peter Foote and his wife, actress, Hillary Rose and chef, Rachel Allen from Ballymaloe House are amongst the guests who will showcase Cork and Ireland’s innovation and success in the fields of sports, arts, culture, sustainability, finance, business and IT.

Tonight’s official dinner will take place at the Crawford Art Gallery, housed in one of the most important historic buildings in Cork, parts of which date back to the early eighteenth century.

Visitor announcement: Please note that the Crawford Art Gallery and Crawford Gallery Café will remain closed to the public on Thursday 14 June. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and will reopen on Friday 15 June. pic.twitter.com/IguQcdjkkO

— Crawford Art Gallery (@CrawfordArtGall) June 8, 2018

It holds many Royal connections. Its renowned collection of Canova Casts was presented by the Prince Regent (later King George IV) in October 1818 and a portrait of the Prince Regent, by the Cork-born artist James Barry and entitled The Prince of Wales in the Guise of St George (c.1789), forms part of the Crawford Art Gallery collection.

At the Crawford, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall will be joined by the Lord Mayor, Tanáiste, British Ambassador, representatives from the world of arts, culture and education and leading Irish business people with interests in the UK.