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Prince Charles and his wife Camilla were inducted into the Order of Innisfallen in a ceremony at Killarney House today.

This is an honour reserved for people from outside of Killarney who have made an exceptional contribution to the local economy. Previous inductees include actor Michael Fassbender and former Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

The royals are visiting Kerry on the third leg of a three-day trip which started in Omagh on Wednesday. They travelled to Derrynane from Cork this morning via helicopter. In south Kerry, they stopped off in the birthplace of Daniel O’Connell before flying to Tralee to take in a performance at Siamsa Tíre.

They then departed for Killarney by car and the royal entourage, which includes 12 vehicles in total,  arrived Muckross House and Gardens after 2pm. There they visited the schoolhouse, traditional farms and Muckross House itself, where Queen Victoria stayed when she came to Killarney in August 1861.

The Prince and the Duchess of Cornwall then travelled by car to Killarney House at 3pm where they to mingled with 200 invited guests. It is here where the royal couple were inducted into the prestigious Order of Innisfallen.

Major traffic congestion was less than expected in town today between 2.45pm and 4.45pm even though Mission Road, which runs alongside Killarney House and Gardens, was shut down.

Thanks to Valerie O'Sullivan for these historic photos.

[caption id="attachment_22203" align="aligncenter" width="700"] His Royal Highness Prince of Wales, Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, were inducted as members of the Order of Innisfallen, in recognition of the long standing contribution of British Visitors to Tourism in Killarney, during their visit to Killarney House on Friday.They spend the afternoon retracing the footsteps of his great great great grandmother, Queen Victoria, who visited here in August 1861. Presenting him with their honour is Cathaoirleach Killarney Municipal District Cllr Niall Kelleher and President of Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, Paul O’Neill.Photo:Valerie O’Sullivan[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_22214" align="aligncenter" width="700"] His Royal Highness Charles Prince of Wales and Camilla Duckess of Cornwall, visiting Muckross House, Killarney, on Friday, with Head Guide at Muckross House, Ann Tangney Queen Victoria staryed at Muckross House in 1861.Photo:Valerie. O’Sullivan[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_22213" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall who was escorted by Jaunting car by Muckross Jarvey Pa Murhill, on the Royal Visit to Killarney, on Friday with His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales who visited Muckross House and Killarney House where Queen Victoria Visited in 1861. Also included is Horse Handler Aoife O’Sullivan, and Geraldine Rosney, Chairperson Muckross House Trustees.Photo:Valerie. O’Sullivan[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_22212" align="aligncenter" width="700"] His Royal Highness Charles Prince of Wales visiting Muckross House, Killarney, on Friday, with Philip Buckley, District Manager, National Parks and Wildlife Service. Queen Victoria staryed at Muckross House in 1861.Photo:Valerie. O’Sullivan[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_22211" align="aligncenter" width="700"] His Royal Highness Charles Prince of Wales visiting Muckross House, Killarney, on Friday, with Philip Buckley, District Manager, National Parks and Wildlife Service. Queen Victoria staryed at Muckross House in 1861.Photo:Valerie. O’Sullivan[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_22210" align="aligncenter" width="700"] His Royal Highness Charles Prince of Wales reacts when he is shown the signature of his Great Great Grandmother Queen Vistoria who stayed in Muckross House, Killarney, in 1861. The Royal Visit with his Wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, took place in Muckross House and Killarney House, Killarney, Co Kerry on Friday,.Photo:Valerie. O’Sullivan[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_22207" align="aligncenter" width="900"] His Royal Highness, Charles, The Prince of Wales, and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, spend Friday afternoon retracing the footsteps of his great great great grandmother, Queen Victoria, who visited Killarney, County Kerry, in August 1861, The Prince of Wales signed the visitors book at Muckross House, ,as Queen Victoria did in 1861.Photo:Valerie O’Sullivan/FREE PICS***[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_22206" align="aligncenter" width="900"] His Royal Highness, Charles, The Prince of Wales, and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, spend Friday afternoon retracing the footsteps of his great great great grandmother, Queen Victoria, who visited Killarney, County Kerry, in August 1861, where she visited Muckross House and Gardens and Killarney House and Gardens. Ann Tangney Head Guide at Muckross House introduces the Royal Couple at the House.Photo:Valerie O’Sullivan[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_22209" align="aligncenter" width="700"] His Royal Highness Charles Prince of Wales vwho Visited Muckross House, Killarney, with his Wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall on Friday, they visited Quills Farm at Muckross Traditional Farm where they met Irish Harp Maker Tim O’Carroll and listened to Melissa Hegarty. Queen Victoria staryed at Muckross House in 1861.Photo:Valerie. O’Sullivan[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_22205" align="aligncenter" width="900"] His Royal Highness, Charles, The Prince of Wales, and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, spend Friday afternoon retracing the footsteps of his great great great grandmother, Queen Victoria, who visited Killarney, County Kerry, in August 1861, where she visited Muckross House and Gardens and Killarney House and Gardens. Prince Charles and the Duchess sign the Visitors book at Muckross House with Minister For Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht Affairs, Josepha Madigan T.D. and Chairperson Muckross House Trustees Geraldine Rosney.They were also shown the Visitors book signed by Queen Victoria.Photo:Valerie O’Sullivan[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_22204" align="aligncenter" width="900"] His Royal Highness, Charles, The Prince of Wales, and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, spend Friday afternoon retracing the footsteps of his great great great grandmother, Queen Victoria, who visited Killarney, County Kerry, in August 1861, where she visited Muckross House and Gardens and Killarney House and Gardens. Prince Charles and the Duchess sign the Visitors book at Muckross House with Minister For Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht Affairs, Josepha Madigan T.D. and Chairperson Muckross House Trustees Geraldine Rosney.They were also shown the Visitors book signed by Queen Victoria, they met with Muckross House Trustees, and presented with books.Photo:Valerie O’Sullivan[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_22208" align="aligncenter" width="900"] His Royal Highness, Charles, The Prince of Wales, and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, spend Friday afternoon retracing the footsteps of his great great great grandmother, Queen Victoria, who visited Killarney, County Kerry, in August 1861, Speaking with Pat Dawson, Manager, Killarney House and Gardens.Photo:Valerie O’Sullivan[/caption]