The King is expected to make an official state visit to Ireland next year after Irish President Catherine Connolly revealed she had invited the monarch during a meeting at Buckingham Palace.
Speaking following the audience on Monday, President Connolly said the King had “graciously accepted” her invitation, although Buckingham Palace has not officially confirmed any future state visit.
The meeting formed part of Connolly’s three-day visit to the UK and marked her first official trip to Britain since becoming president last year.
“I think the highlight really was the invitation that I extended him as the 10th president of Ireland to make a State visit to Ireland, and he graciously accepted that,” Connolly told reporters afterwards.
“So, the details will emerge in due course between the two governments.”
If confirmed, the visit would become the King’s first official state visit to Ireland as monarch, although he travelled to the country frequently during his time as Prince of Wales.
Connolly said she believed the visit would further strengthen relations between Britain and 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,” she said.
The president also revealed the pair discussed climate change and environmental issues during their Buckingham Palace meeting — topics that have long been closely associated with the King.
The proposed visit would carry considerable historic significance.
The last reigning British monarch to undertake a state visit to Ireland was Elizabeth II in 2011, in what became a landmark moment in modern Anglo-Irish relations.
