The Irish State Visit begins

Michael D Higgins has become the first Irish President to pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom. Amid the ancient walls of Windsor Castle, President Higgins was welcomed to the UK by Elizabeth II. The band of the Irish Guards played, there were carriage rides and crowds to cheer and all in brilliant spring sunshine.  A major day in British Irish relations got off to a good start.

The Queen and President Michael D Higgins in Windsor on April 8th 2014

President Higgins had earlier met the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at the Irish Embassy in London - as is usual on State Visits, the heir to the throne greets visiting leaders at the beginning of the trip and escorts them to meet the Queen.  Michael D Higgins and his wife, Sabina, had arrived in London on April 7th but the reception on the morning of April 8th marked the official beginning.

The Prince of Wales and the President of the Republic of Ireland at the Irish Embassy in London on April 8th 2014

A short trip from London to Windsor and suddenly the historic first State Visit began officially with a handshake between the Queen and President Higgins.

A moment of history the British head of state welcomes the Irish head of state to the UK 

The national anthem of the Republic of Ireland played while a gun salute was fired and then the Queen and the President of Ireland took to the Australian State Carriage for a State Procession through the streets of Windsor.  

The Queen and President Higgins at the start of the State Procession through Windsor

And as the procession began, the British Monarchy Twitter account sent out a message of welcome to the President and his wife in Irish.  Back in Windsor, Elizabeth II and Michael D Higgins rode through the streets with substantial crowds cheering them along.  Windsor is used to royal events but the huge significance of this visit wasn't lost on anyone.

The route of the carriage procession was lined with people hoping to get a glimpse of an historic visit

On arrival at Windsor Castle, the President and the Duke of Edinburgh inspected a guard of honour before Michael D Higgins presented the Irish Guards with a coat for their mascot, Domhnall.

Domhnall steals the show - the mascot of the Irish Guards gets a present from the President of Ireland as the Duke of Edinburgh watches on

The official welcome ended with the party heading inside the Castle for a private lunch with the President due in Westminster in the afternoon to address both Houses of Parliament before heading back to Windsor for a State Banquet in the evening.  

Lunch beckons for the royals and their guests

The ancient walls of Windsor was the perfect setting for the start of such an historic event and this latest, most modern chapter of a long story.