24/06/2010

Queen To Visit Republic

It has emerged the Queen of the United Kingdom may visit the Republic of Ireland for the first time since the beginning of her reign.

After a meeting between the Prime Minister David Cameron in London and Taoiseach Brian Cowen, plans have surfaced that the Queen's first state visit to Ireland may come before the end of next year.

Brian Cowen said he wanted to see the official engagement before President Mary McAleese leaves office and there was now no obstacle in the way of Queen Elizabeth coming to Ireland.

The visit would be unprecedented as no British monarch has visited the Republic of Ireland since it gained independence in the last century.

Mr Cowen said a state visit by the Queen and a return trip to Britain by an Irish President would be part of the normal courtesies made by neighbouring states.

The Queen has visited over 100 countries during her reign and although the trip across the Irish Sea has not been finally agreed, plans for the historic first Dublin visit are gathering momentum.

There is also some speculation that the Queen may be close to completing her reign, and the visit could mark a significant visit previously unmade.

It is believed that President Mary McAleese could take the return journey with the Queen making her own state visit to England.

(DW/GK)


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