King Charles has ‘graciously accepted’ an invitation to make a state visit to Ireland, following talks with Irish President Catherine Connolly at Buckingham Palace. The invitation marks what would be only the second such visit by a British monarch to Ireland since independence, following Queen Elizabeth II’s landmark trip in 2011.
President Connolly, who is on her first official visit to England since taking office in November, described her meeting with the King as ‘wonderful’. She noted that Charles knows Ireland well and has been a positive voice for peace and reconciliation. The President expressed confidence that the state visit would deepen the relationship between the two countries as neighbours and friends.
The official visit began on Monday with a stop at the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith, west London, where President Connolly addressed the Irish diaspora. She highlighted the diverse contributions of Irish people to British society, spanning arts, healthcare, education, and construction, stating that ‘hardly a sector’ of British life remains untouched by Irish influence.
Members of the Irish community welcomed the President’s engagement. Aengus Collins O’Malley, a history teacher, praised her outreach to the diaspora, while dancer Oisin Moroney said he was grateful for the opportunity to perform. Larry O’Leary, chairman of the Mayor of London’s St Patrick’s Festival Community Advisory Board, commended her promotion of the Irish language.
The King’s state visit is expected to further strengthen Anglo-Irish relations, building on the foundation laid by Queen Elizabeth II’s historic 2011 visit, which was hailed as an extraordinary moment in bilateral ties.
