Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
It was one of the most famous State Visits of the historic reign of Queen Elizabeth II and now it appears that her son and successor hopes to emulate a moment that is still talked about today.
In 2011, Queen Elizabeth II became the first British Monarch to make a State Visit to the Republic of Ireland.
In 2014, Her Late Majesty welcomed the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, to the UK for a State Visit, the first time an Irish Head of State had made such a trip.
Now, it appears that Charles III hopes to become the first British King to do similar honours.
At a reception at Buckingham Palace for new MPs, the Monarch got chatting to the member for Ealing South, Deidre Costigan, and noted her Irish accent.
The Labour MP later told ITV that The King said it ”would be great to get a State Visit as well”.
Whether Charles III hopes to be hosted in Dublin or whether he’d like to welcome the President of Ireland to the UK wasn’t clear. But his intention to continue to consolidate strong relations between the UK and the Republic of Ireland through a State Visit has been stated firmly.
It’s the second potential State Visit mentioned this year – it’s already widely reported that Donald Trump, the newly inaugurated 47th President of the United States, could make such a trip in the not too distant future.
If President Trump is invited to London for a State Visit, he will be the first elected Head of State to be given to such visits. President Michael D Higgins will need to book his slot at Windsor Castle quickly if he’s to take that claim to fame from Donald Trump. Elections for the Irish presidency must be held by November 2025 and, having served two terms already, Michael D Higgins will be stepping aside.