The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have arrived in Dublin on their first foreign tour as a married couple as the government looks to use the Royal’s ‘soft power’ to bolster a post-Brexit relationship.
The newly-weds flew in from London by private jet after attending events to mark the centenary of the RAF at Buckingham Palace.
Aides said the couple had been officially approved to charter a plane rather than take a regular scheduled flight. The couple have an entourage of eleven with them including a hairdresser and a personal assistant, which are being paid for privately according to Kensington Palace.
A smiling Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at Dublin City Airport for the start of their visit to Dublin, Ireland, at the request of the UK government
The Duchess of Sussex descends the stairs of the private jet that carried her and Harry to Dublin as part of their two-day trip to Ireland
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive at Dublin City Airport for the start of their visit to Dublin, Ireland
A smiling Harry was the first to step off the jet followed by Meghan in an appropriately forest green Givenchy dress.
Harry and Meghan’s first visit abroad on behalf of the UK Government will see them take in a Gaelic sports festival at Croke Park, attend a summer garden party at the British ambassador’s Residence and visit Trinity College during ten engagements over 24 hours in the Irish capital.
The trip has been designed to promote good diplomatic relations with Ireland, with Brexit sure to be high on their agenda.
A smiling Harry was the first to step off the jet followed by Meghan in an appropriately forest green Givenchy dress at the Dublin airport this afternoon following RAF celebrations in London
It is the latest in a series of foreign trips the royal family have made to European Union member states in the wake of Britain’s impending exit from the bloc.
The ‘soft diplomacy’ the monarchy employs is used to renew and strengthen relationships with countries even as Britain breaks away from the EU.
Ireland’s Taoiseach Leo Varadkar are formally welcoming the couple who will enjoy a summer garden party at Glencairn, the official residence of Britain’s Ambassador to Ireland Robin Barnett.
Prince Harry will speak at the event, where guests will include people from across Ireland’s arts, sports, military and social enterprise sectors.
The trip to Dublin is not the first time the couple have been away since their May 19 wedding. They slipped away unnoticed for their honeymoon and the destination for the traditional break has remained under wraps for now.
Over the coming days the couple will meet the people of Dublin and will visit organisations which are central to Irish life.
The royal couple will learn about the history and culture of Ireland, including the famine which drove millions to emigrate across the world
They will attend a Gaelic sports festival at Croke Park, the home of the Gaelic Athletic Association, to watch youngsters taking part in sporting activities.
Meghan and Harry will also learn about Ireland’s culture and heritage, including a visit to Trinity College where they will see the Book of Kells, one of Ireland’s greatest cultural treasures.
The duke and duchess will also have a moment for reflection at the Famine Memorial, before visiting EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum, telling the story of the 10 million Irish who have emigrated across the world.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, attend a reception to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force at Buckingham Palace before going to Dublin
The royal couple will also learn more about the bright future of Ireland during their time in Dublin, with a visit to DogPatch Labs, a co-working space for technology start-ups.
Harry and Meghan will meet children and young people taking part in free coding workshops, and will also have the opportunity to talk to female tech entrepreneurs.