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Dublin, August 6, 2025 — Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal spent the day in Dublin on a one-day official visit, celebrating the enduring friendship between the United Kingdom and Ireland and reinforcing diplomatic ties through cultural and civic engagement.
🤝 A Symbolic Presidential Meeting
Princess Anne was formally welcomed by President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina at Áras an Uachtaráin, the official residence of the Irish head of state. The meeting marked one of President Higgins’ final engagements with a senior member of the British royal family as he approaches the end of his second and final term in office.
In a statement following the meeting, President Higgins praised the Princess Royal’s “significant contribution” to UK-Ireland relations and extended his best wishes to King Charles III, recalling the monarch’s “unwavering support for peace and reconciliation”.
The visit was described by officials as a “courtesy call,” but its timing and tone carried clear diplomatic weight, reaffirming mutual respect and shared history between the two nations.
🐎 Cultural Diplomacy at the Dublin Horse Show
Later in the day, Princess Anne attended the 150th Dublin Horse Show at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS), a landmark event in Ireland’s sporting and social calendar. A passionate equestrian and former Olympian, she toured a special exhibition on the show’s history and met with representatives from Festina Lente and the Riding for the Disabled Association Ireland, two charities focused on equine-assisted therapy and inclusion.
She also presented rosettes to winners in the Small Hunters (Class 20) competition, further highlighting her lifelong commitment to equestrianism and charitable service.
🗣️ Diplomatic Endorsement
British Ambassador to Ireland Paul Johnston emphasized the diplomatic value of the visit:
“The Princess Royal’s visit 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”.
Princess Anne’s presence in Dublin follows a series of royal engagements aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, including her participation in the Northern Ireland Investment Summit in 2023.
Sources:
- Daily Mail – Princess Anne’s visit to Dublin
- MSN – Higgins praises Princess Royal’s contribution to UK-Ireland ties
President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina and Princess Anne Picture by the British Embassy Dublin
