President Michael D. Higgins receives H.R.H. Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, at Áras an Uachtaráin
Date: Wed 6th Aug, 2025 | 13:19
Uachtarán na hÉireann, President Michael D. Higgins today received Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, on a courtesy call at Áras an Uachtaráin.
At their meeting, The Princess Royal acknowledged President Higgins’ long-standing contribution to Irish public life as he approaches the end of his second and final term, and the strength and value of the relationship between Ireland and the UK.
In a statement following their meeting, the President 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 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.”
President Higgins has had significant interaction with the Royal Family over the course of his two terms as part of the journey of reconciliation between the two islands.
In 2014, President Higgins became the first President of Ireland to make a State Visit to the United Kingdom, reciprocating the State Visit made by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland in 2011.
Among more recent engagements, President Higgins and Sabina attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 and the coronation of King Charles III in 2023. The President’s attendance at the coronation was the first time Ireland was officially represented at the coronation of a British monarch since independence.
President Higgins and Princess Anne have met on a number of occasions in the past, including at rugby internationals between Ireland and Scotland.