The Princess Royal has visited Dublin to see the President of the Republic of Ireland just before he leaves office.
President Michael D. Higgins is set to step aside shortly at the end of his second term as he isn’t permitted to seek a third stint in office by the Irish constitution.
Princess Anne met the President at his official residence, Áras an Uachtaráin, with just months to go before his replacement is elected.
It’s seen as an important visit as the Irish President has had an strong relationship with the Royal Family since taking office in 2011 which has helped strengthen bonds between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom.
The Princess was welcomed by Michael D. Higgins and his wife, Sabina, for this farewell chat. The three looked pleased to see one another although Anne was soon in practical mode. As she was asked to sign the Visitor’s Book, she queried whether she needed to start a brand new page as there appeared to be space for her signature on a previous one.
She asked ”am I wasting the entire page” before her hosts told her ”you deserve a whole page”.
Anne acknowledged the long standing contribution that the President has made to Irish life and also spoke about the strength and value of the relationship between the two counties.
The Presidency of Michael D. Higgins has seen a transformation in the links between the Republic of Ireland and the UK. In 2014, he became the first Irish President to make a State Visit to the United Kingdom when he was hosted at Windsor Castle by Queen Elizabeth II.
That was seen as a vital follow up step to the State Visit made by Elizabeth II to the Republic of Ireland in the year that he was elected as President. The late Queen had been hosted by his predecessor as President, Mary McAleese, who summed up the impact that the visit had when she was visibly stunned and pleased to hear Elizabeth II begin her speech at the historic State Banquet in Irish.
President Michael D. Higgins also attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and made more history in 2023 when he accepted an invitation to the Coronation of King Charles III. It was the first time since the declaration of Irish independence that a President had attended a coronatiion.
Speaking after the meeting with Princess Anne, President Higgins said ”It was a pleasure to renew my conversations with Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, and to recognise the significant contribution which she has made over so many years to the relationship between our two countries.….I further took the opportunity to extend my best wishes to His Majesty King Charles and to recall his unwavering support for peace and reconciliation.”
President Higgins and Princess Anne have met several times before, including at the Coronation. Both are big rugby supporters, too, and their paths have crossed at internationals – the Princess Royal is Patron of Scottish Rugby and is often in the stands to cheer them on.
Anne acknowledged that their rugby meetings usually happen in late winter as Ireland and Scotland compete in the Six Nations as she told the President as she arrived ”’it’s a little warmer than our usual meetings”.
The one day visit of the Princess Royal to Dublin also sees her take in the 150th Dublin Horse Show.
