King Charles III has 'graciously accepted' an invitation to make a state visit to Ireland, the country's President Catherine Connolly announced after a meeting at Buckingham Palace. The invitation was extended during Ms Connolly's audience with the King on the first day of her three-day official visit to England.
Ms Connolly described the meeting, which lasted just under an hour, as 'wonderful'. She noted that the King knows Ireland well and has been 'a positive voice for peace and reconciliation'. The visit would be the second such state visit by a British monarch to Ireland since independence, following Queen Elizabeth II's historic trip in 2011.
Earlier, Ms Connolly visited the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith, west London, where she highlighted the Irish contribution to British society. 'There is hardly a sector of the economy or an area of life that has not been touched by the Irish here in Britain,' she said, citing arts, healthcare, education, and construction.
The President's visit continues with engagements in London and Leeds, including a reception hosted by the Irish ambassador. Her trip underscores the strong ties between the two nations and the importance of the Irish diaspora in the UK.
