Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall have visited the Irish Embassy in London
Tuesday November 09 2010
The Prince of Wales has made an historic visit the Irish Embassy in London - the first time a member of the British Royal Family has visited the institution.
Charles, joined by the Duchess of Cornwall, met leading figures from Irish society at a special reception hosted by the country's ambassador, Bobby McDonagh.
Sir Terry Wogan described the visit as "significant", saying he believed it would lead to a widely anticipated trip by the Queen to the Emerald Isle.
The much loved BBC broadcaster said: "In view of the fact that his mother, Her Majesty the Queen, will be visiting Ireland next year - or so I hear - this is significant.
"I've been in Ireland a lot this year doing a documentary for BBC television on Ireland and there is a lot of anticipation.
"You've got to understand despite 700 years of oppression, starvation and immigration the Irish still have an enormous affection for the English.
"This is an historic thing, the Queen will undoubtedly get a fantastic reception in Ireland."
Among the guests were Irish celebrities who have become household British names from Sir Bob Geldof, former Formula One racing boss Eddie Jordan, singer Val Doonican and comic Patrick Kielty.
Northern Ireland MPs and peers were also at the event held at the building in London's Belgravia.
The prince is known to have an interest in Ireland and its people and has met many members of Britain's various communities from the Polish to Asian before the visit.
Charles, joined by the Duchess of Cornwall, met leading figures from Irish society at a special reception hosted by the country's ambassador, Bobby McDonagh.
Sir Terry Wogan described the visit as "significant", saying he believed it would lead to a widely anticipated trip by the Queen to the Emerald Isle.
The much loved BBC broadcaster said: "In view of the fact that his mother, Her Majesty the Queen, will be visiting Ireland next year - or so I hear - this is significant.
"I've been in Ireland a lot this year doing a documentary for BBC television on Ireland and there is a lot of anticipation.
"You've got to understand despite 700 years of oppression, starvation and immigration the Irish still have an enormous affection for the English.
"This is an historic thing, the Queen will undoubtedly get a fantastic reception in Ireland."
Among the guests were Irish celebrities who have become household British names from Sir Bob Geldof, former Formula One racing boss Eddie Jordan, singer Val Doonican and comic Patrick Kielty.
Northern Ireland MPs and peers were also at the event held at the building in London's Belgravia.
The prince is known to have an interest in Ireland and its people and has met many members of Britain's various communities from the Polish to Asian before the visit.
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