THE Irish President has met with King Charles at Buckingham Palace this afternoon.
During their meeting, which took place on the first day of President Catherine Connolly’s first official visit to Britain, the Irish head of state invited the King to make a state visit to Ireland.
It would be the second such visit by a British monarch, following that of King's Charles' mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, in 2011.
The President met King Charles this afternoon (Pic: Maxwell's Photography)This was followed by a state visit to the UK by President Michael D. Higgins in 2014, in what was the first of its kind by an Irish president.
President Connolly will spend three days in England this week, with a series of engagements taking place across London and Leeds.
Earlier this morning the President, who took over the role from former Irish President Michael D Higgins last November, attended the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith.
There she and her husband Brian were treated to Irish dance and musical performances before taking time to meet with members of one of the cultural centre’s Irish language classes.
Ms Connolly also made an address at the event, where she reflected on the experience of Irish emigration to Britain.
She said there was "hardly a sector" of British life that had not been influenced by the Irish.
"The Irish contribution to British society is as diverse as can be imagined," she added.
"From the arts and culture, to healthcare, education, construction and infrastructure, as well as professional, scientific and technical services."
Later today the President will attend an event hosted in her honour at the Irish Embassy in London.
See More: King Charles, President Catherine Connolly
