King Charles receives Irish President

King Charles III received the Irish President at the palace, who presented a historic innovation.

King Charles received the President of the Republic of Ireland, Catherine Connolly, at Buckingham Palace this week. The President is in the United Kingdom making her inaugural visit since acceding to office in November 2025.

Just before heading to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the King met with the Irish President, who spoke of the “unique relationship as close neighbours.”

During the formal audience, Connolly invited the British Monarch to visit Ireland next year, marking the first British state visit to the Republic since Queen Elizabeth II visited in 2011. This was followed by a state visit to the United Kingdom by President Michael D. Higgins in 2014.

President Connolly said that the King “graciously accepted” the invitation.

Áras an Uachtaráin, the residence of the Irish President, said details of next year’s visit will be worked out in consultation with the two governments. Palace sources say that while the invitation is greatly appreciated, it is extended as a formality and must be approved first by the British Government.

President Catherine Connolly said in full,

As President of Ireland, I was delighted to meet this afternoon with His Majesty King Charles, when I appreciated very much the warm welcome which he extended.

King Charles knows Ireland well and has been a positive voice for peace and reconciliation.

In our discussion, we were mindful of the unique relationship as close neighbours and our intertwined history, recalling the significant State Visit of Queen Elizabeth to Ireland in 2011, as well as the State Visit here of former President Higgins in 2014.

I was very pleased therefore to extend an invitation to King Charles to pay his own State Visit to Ireland. I am sure that he will receive the warmest of welcomes and this will represent a further deepening of our relationship as neighbours and as friends.