President Higgins greets Britain's Princess Anne at Áras in 'courtesy call'
Britain’s Princess Anne acknowledged President Michael D Higgins’ “contribution to Irish public life” as she visited Áras an Uachtaráin in “a courtesy call” on Wednesday.
The Princess Royal, sister of King Charles, was in Dublin for a day of engagements which included a trip to the 150th Dublin Horse Show in the RDS.
At their meeting, Princess Anne was said to have “acknowledged President Higgins’ long-standing contribution to Irish public life” and the “strength and value of the relationship between Ireland and the UK”.
She could be one of President Higgins’ final visitors to Áras an Uachtaráin ahead of his departure in November.
The pair had met several times, including at Ireland v Scotland international rugby matches in recent years. Princess Anne is a patron of the Scottish Rugby Union.
“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,” President Higgins said.
“I was also pleased to recognise the contribution which The Princess Royal has made to equestrian sports over the years as well as to related learning and therapy services.
“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.”
Following her meeting with President Higgins and his wife Sabina, they entered a further meeting with British Ambassador to Ireland Paul Johnston.
She departed the Áras after 50 minutes to travel from the Phoenix Park to Ballsbridge to attend the opening day of the 150th Dublin Horse Show at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS).
During the visit, Princess Anne toured a special exhibition on the history of the Dublin Horse Show and meet representatives from Festina Lenté, a Bray-based charity offering equine-assisted learning and therapy services and the Riding for the Disabled Association Ireland.
She also presented the rosettes to the winners in Class 20 of the Small Hunters competition.
Mr Johnson, who will finish his term as British Ambassador to Ireland in the coming weeks, said that the visit from Princess Anne “underscores the deep and enduring friendship between the United Kingdom and Ireland and the significance of the 150th holding of the RDS Dublin Horse Show”.
“Her Royal Highness has visited Ireland on many occasions, including as patron of the Scottish Rugby Union for their biannual Six Nations games here,” he said.
“Her visit this week reflects her lifelong interest in equestrianism and charitable work.”
