LONDON, May 21 (Xinhua) -- There'll be a welcome for Prince Harry and his bride Meghan Markle in a small Northern Ireland fishing port after the newly weds became the Baron and Baroness of Kilkeel.
Local political leaders and business owners believe the title, bestowed by Queen Elizabeth II on her grandson and his American actress bride will boost tourism.
Kilkeel is no stranger to celeb visitors, according to Samuel Hamilton who owns the Kilmorey Arms Hotel in Kilkeel. During World War II the hotel hosted Britain's wartime prime minister Winston Churchill and General Dwight Eisenhower, later to become the U.S. president.
Still, Hamilton was surprised when he heard the announcement about the Royal couple's title.
He told the Belfast Telegraph: "I was in absolute shock when I heard on Saturday. I had to ask my wife if there was another Kilkeel."
Hamilton added: "I think we've sadly been neglected by the tourist board in this part of the world, so this is one of the things we hope will give Kilkeel and the Mourne area a bit more vibrancy and bring people to the area."
Last year Prince Harry's father, Prince Charles, visited Kilkeel harbour, with Hamilton adding a royal visit from Harry and Meghan would make history.
With a population of less than 7,000, Kilkeel is in County Down and home to one of the largest fishing fleets in the island of Ireland. It is also close to one of Northern Ireland's most scenic areas, the Mourne Mountains, mentioned by Beatle John Lennon in his song "The Luck of the Irish".
According to the newspaper report, the local council has already issued an invite to the Kilkeel's new Baron and Baroness to pay them a visit some time soon.
"We would welcome them with open arms and accommodate them in every way we can," said Hamilton.
Jenna Stevenson from a social enterprise art shop and cafe in Kilkeel called "Made in Mourne" said: "We are isolated in a rural and coastal area so it is good to have that exposure to be able to put us on the world map. Nobody would have known about us otherwise, now people from all over the world will be googling Kilkeel."
Local resident Shelagh Roberts said: "I thought it was fabulous, I'm amazed that they even knew where Kilkeel was. I think it's very nice and great for the area. It's such a beautiful part of the world with the mountains of Mourne flowing down to the sea and my own hometown of Rostrevor just around the corner.
"It would be so good for the area if Harry and Meghan visited. They're young, happy and in love so what more would you need to bring a ray of sunshine to the area?"
Local councillor Jill McAuley told the Belfast telegraph it was a very proud moment for Kilkeel.
"Hopefully, we'll be seeing the Baron and Baroness here very soon. If they did come they could see the natural beauty of Mourne and south Down that is very unique," she said, "It really is just a massive tourism opportunity for us, we have a tourism strategy in place and that will now become a huge priority for our council."
