The Taoiseach has described a forthcoming visit by the King to Ireland as “good news”, reflecting the maturity of Anglo-Irish relations since the Good Friday Agreement.
Micheal Martin spoke after Irish President Catherine Connolly confirmed that King Charles had “graciously” accepted an invitation to Ireland. The two heads of state met at Buckingham Palace on Monday, the first day of Ms Connolly’s official visit to England.
Mr Martin said his Government had advised on issuing the invitation and was “obviously anxious that we will organise that properly with the British Government”. He added that the visit also signalled a growing, stronger relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom.
The official visit, slated for next year, would be the second such visit by a British monarch to Ireland since independence. The King’s mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, paid a state visit to Ireland in 2011.
