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The new memorial is for the 13 officers killed since the Royal Ulster Constabulary was replaced by the PSNI.

Charles and Camilla were at the beginning of a four day tour of Ireland (Credit: PA)

The Prince of Wales paid tribute to fallen police officers as he joined bereaved relatives at the opening of a memorial in Belfast.

Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall bowed their heads for a minute's silence before laying wreaths at the striking stone roll of honour for the 13 Police Service of Northern Ireland officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty since the organisation was founded in 2001.

A piper played a lament after family members watched the royal couple unveil a plaque to commemorate their visit to the memorial garden, which is tucked in a secluded area of PSNI headquarters.

In a particularly poignant moment, seven-year-old Victoria Grieves, whose officer father Gary was killed in a road crash in 2010, presented a bouquet of flowers to the Duchess.

PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton said: "This is a very special, but also sad day, for the families and PSNI as we remember those who have died."

There is already an adjoining memorial garden to the 300 officers from the PSNI's predecessor, the Royal Ulster Constabulary, who were killed during the Troubles.

The solemn event, during which the couple also viewed a new book of remembrance, started the couple's second day of their four-day trip to Ireland.

In a moment that captured the poignancy of the occasion, seven-year-old Victoria Grieves curtseyed before presenting the Duchess of Cornwall with a vibrant bouquet of flowers.

Victoria's father Gary, a police constable in the PSNI, was killed in a road crash in Portglenone, Co Antrim as he travelled home from duty in 2010.

His daughter was among family members of fallen officers who gathered at PSNI headquarters to meet the Duchess and Prince of Wales at the official opening of a memorial paying tribute to their sacrifice.

It was 14 years since the Prince stood only yards away to open an adjoining garden commemorating the 300 Royal Ulster Constabulary officers killed during the Troubles.

Kate Carroll, whose husband Stephen was murdered by dissident republicans in Craigavon, Co Armagh in 2009, spoke with the Duchess.

Constable Carroll's name, along with 12 others, is listed on the roll of honour on the striking Irish black limestone memorial wall.

"She just told me to keep on smiling and she said I have been brave and I said, 'well, you have to be'," said Mrs Carroll.

The police widow described the memorial as a "fitting tribute".

"I think it is very comforting that you are able to come and see where your loved ones are being honoured," she said.

"It is a nice feeling to know you can go somewhere and that they are appreciated."

As well as serving PSNI officers and police staff, former chief constable Matt Baggott and representatives from the Irish Garda attended the ceremony.

Current PSNI chief George Hamilton said it was a day of "mixed feelings".

"There is the pride and poignancy of the day but also the sadness of it," he said.

"We have 13 names on the wall of this memorial garden and that is 13 devastated families and most of those families were able to join with us for this official opening.

"We were grateful too that the significance and size of the sacrifice was marked by the attendance of their royal highnesses."

PFNI Chairman, Mark Lindsay, represented the staff association at the event and said he was “deeply appreciative” of the remembrance displayed.

Afterwards, Mr Lindsay said: “I was honoured to have been there to pay my respects to colleagues who lost their lives in tragic circumstances.

“This was a fitting tribute to the officers, and I know the families are deeply appreciative of the way their loved ones are being remembered.

“The Memorial Garden is a constant reminder to our wider community of the dangerous work officers do day and daily. It is right and proper that those who served and paid the ultimate price are remembered in this way.

“I was delighted The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall could attend and perform the official opening, which I know will be deeply appreciated by the wider police family.”

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