Diana Visits Ulster, Makes Police Edgy

Princess Diana paid a surprise, five-hour visit Monday to Northern Ireland, mingling with crowds four times as police looked on nervously.

She received a warm welcome from Protestants, but there was little visible reaction from Roman Catholics in the troubled British-administered province.

The Protestant majority welcomes such visits, seeing them as bolstering the province’s status as part of the United Kingdom. Royal visits have traditionally been ignored by most Catholics, and Diana’s itinerary did not include any distinctly Catholic institutions.

Onlookers knew that an important visitor was due but were not aware who it was until Diana stepped from her car.

Later, the princess flew by helicopter to a luncheon at Hillsborough Castle, outside Belfast. Then she drove to Protestant east Belfast to visit a home for handicapped children .