King Charles has been invited make a state visit to Ireland – it would be the second such royal visit since independence, after Queen Elizabeth II's historic trip in 201121:51, 18 May 2026The King has "graciously accepted" an historic invitation to Ireland after talks at Buckingham Palace.‌Charles today welcomed Irish president Catherine Connolly on the opening day of her three-day official visit, which will include engagements across London and Leeds. The duo were photographed exchanging handshakes and beaming for the cameras at the palace.‌Ms Connolly told reporters she had extended an invitation to the King for a state visit - marking what would be only the second such occasion by a British monarch to Ireland since independence.‌The late Queen Elizabeth II undertook a state visit to Ireland in 2011, in what was later hailed as "an extraordinary moment" in British-Irish relations.READ MORE: Meghan Markle issues emotional plea to keep children safe online as she comforts parents during solo tripREAD MORE: Beatrice and Eugenie 'to come out of cold at royal wedding - but Harry's not invited'The Irish president described her meeting with Charles, which ran for just shy of an hour, as "wonderful". She said: "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."‌Earlier, Ms Connolly said there is "hardly a sector" of British life untouched by Irish influence. The visit marks her first official trip to England since taking office in November, when she expressed her dedication to connecting with the Irish diaspora.The tour kicked off on Monday with a stop at the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith, west London, where she gave a speech and met participants in an Irish language class.During her address at the Irish Cultural Centre, Ms Connolly said: "The Irish contribution to British society is as diverse as can be imagined.‌"From the arts and culture, to healthcare, education, construction and infrastructure, as well as professional, scientific and technical services. Indeed, there is hardly a sector of the economy or an area of life that has not been touched by the Irish here in Britain."She continued: "Historically, modern-day immigration was driven by economic factors, with large numbers leaving Ireland for London, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and elsewhere."This occurred in waves and we know that from the 19th century and the 20th century, and unfortunately today as well, we have people leaving our shores for various reasons, but some of them for lack of housing."‌Aengus Collins O'Malley, 49, said it was great to see the president "reaching out to the Irish diaspora". He said: "She is our head of state and she is an individual who is known for promoting the Irish language."When questioned about Anglo-Irish relations, Mr Collins O'Malley, who gives history lessons on Michael Collins at the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith, said: "They are always great when the Tories are not in power."Oisin Moroney, 21, who performed an Irish dance for Ms Connolly on Monday, said: "It was great for her to come here. I was grateful to be able to welcome her into the country. You always get that bit of nerves but as soon as I started dancing, they just went away."‌Mr Moroney, from Hammersmith, west London, who was born to Irish parents, said: "We were growing up as Irish as you could be without growing up in Ireland."Larry O'Leary, 74, chairman of the Mayor of London's St Patrick's Festival Community Advisory Board, said: "I love the way she promotes the Irish language at every opportunity. She is not afraid to speak her mind.""It shows you how much the president and her office care about maintaining Irish culture," he added. Mr O'Leary also served as chairman of the Council of Irish County Associations (CICA).Article continues belowIrish ambassador to Britain, Martin Fraser, and Deirdre Fraser are set to host a reception on Monday evening in honour of Ms Connolly and her husband, Brian McEnery, at the Irish embassy in London.The trip continues on Tuesday when the president attends the Chelsea Flower Show and the London Irish Centre in Camden. It wraps up on Wednesday with visits to Leeds University and the Leeds Irish Centre.In Leeds, Ms Connolly will be briefed on the work of the Irish Health Centre there and will also meet representatives of other Irish centres in the region. This marks the president's third official visit since taking office, following trips to Northern Ireland and Spain.