King Charles Receives the President of Ireland at Buckingham Palace
Photo: The Royal Household
King Charles received Ireland's President Catherine Connolly in audience at Buckingham Palace. During the meeting, the King is said to have accepted an invitation for a state visit to Ireland.
King Charles received Ireland's President Catherine Connolly in audience at Buckingham Palace in the afternoon. The meeting formed part of Connolly's three-day official visit to London and Leeds.
According to the President, the King accepted an invitation to visit Ireland. Such a visit would mark only the second state visit by a British monarch since Irish independence. The King's late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, made her state visit to Ireland in 2011.
Connolly described the meeting, which lasted just under an hour, as "very positive and warm", and called it a privilege to meet the King. She noted that King Charles knows Ireland well and has been a positive voice for peace and reconciliation.
During their conversation, the two reflected on the close neighbourly relationship and the intertwined history of the two countries. The President also highlighted shared concerns about the environment and climate change.
According to Connolly, the highlight of the meeting was the invitation she extended. The details of any state visit are to be worked out between the two governments. A visit this year is considered unlikely, as Ireland takes over the EU presidency from July.