The King has graciously accepted a historic invitation to Ireland following discussions at Buckingham Palace.

Today, Charles welcomed Irish president Catherine Connolly on the first day of her three-day official visit, with planned events in London and Leeds. The pair were captured exchanging greetings and smiling for the cameras at the palace.

Connolly shared that she had invited the King for a state visit, a momentous occasion as only one British monarch has visited Ireland since its independence.

Previously, Queen Elizabeth II made a state visit to Ireland in 2011, a significant event that strengthened British-Irish relations.

Describing her meeting with Charles as delightful, Connolly emphasized the strong ties between the two nations and the importance of past state visits. She extended an invitation for King Charles to visit Ireland, anticipating a warm reception and further strengthening of their neighborly bond.

Earlier, Connolly highlighted the extensive Irish influence across various sectors in British society. Her visit aims to connect with the Irish diaspora and promote cultural ties.

The tour commenced with a visit to the Irish Cultural Centre in west London, where Connolly addressed the audience and engaged with participants in an Irish language class.

Acknowledging the diverse contributions of the Irish community in Britain, Connolly emphasized the historical and ongoing migration from Ireland to cities like London, Manchester, Liverpool, and Birmingham.

Local residents expressed gratitude for Connolly’s outreach to the Irish diaspora and praised her promotion of Irish culture and language.

Irish ambassador Martin Fraser and Deirdre Fraser will host a reception in honor of Connolly at the Irish embassy in London. The visit’s itinerary includes attending the Chelsea Flower Show, visiting the London Irish Centre, Leeds University, and the Irish Health Centre in Leeds.

This visit marks Connolly’s third official trip since assuming office, following visits to Northern Ireland and Spain.