Princess Anne is spending the day in the Irish capital today, as she touches down in Dublin to mark milestone event at 150th Dublin Horse Show.
The Princess Royal, 74, will begin the day with a formal welcome at Áras an Uachtaráin, where she will be received by President Michael D. Higgins in what is expected to be one of his final engagements with a senior royal, as he nears the end of his second and final term in office.
The meeting will mark a symbolic moment in UK-Ireland relations, paying tribute to President Higgins’ long-standing service to Irish public life and the enduring ties between the two nations.
Later in the day, all eyes will turn to the Royal Dublin Society (RDS), where Princess Anne will be attending the official opening of the 150th Dublin Horse Show- a major highlight on the Irish social and sporting calendar.
A passionate equestrian herself, Princess Anne will tour a special exhibition celebrating the show’s rich history and meet representatives from Festina Lente, a Bray-based charity specialising in equine-assisted therapy, as well as the Riding for the Disabled Association Ireland.
Her Royal Highness is also expected to present rosettes to the winners of the hotly contested Small Hunters (Class 20) competition.
British Ambassador to Ireland, Paul Johnston, praised the visit, saying: ‘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.
‘Her Royal Highness has visited Ireland on many occasions, including as patron of the Scottish Rugby Union during Six Nations games here.
Princess Anne is spending the day in the Irish capital today, touches down in Dublin to mark milestone event at 150th Dublin Horse Show
‘Her visit this week reflects her lifelong interest in equestrianism and charitable work.’
The Princess Royal’s appearance in Dublin comes as part of a busy summer of royal engagements and once again highlights her unwavering dedication to public service.
Anne’s last visit to Ireland was in 2023, during a visit Investment Summit in Belfast.
Princess Anne looked typically elegant in a khaki green and red striped tweed coat and matching skirt on Wednesday.
The late Queen’s daughter was joined by trade secretary Kemi Badenoch during the Northern Ireland Investment Summit 2023 at the ICC.
The pair looked deep in conversation and they strolled around the venue with Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris.
The royal donned a red jumper underneath her stylish ensemble which also featured red buttons.
There were up to 200 international investors gathered in ICC Belfast, while large numbers of homegrown businesses were exhibiting in the hope of attracting financial support.
The Princess Royal, 74, will begin the day with a formal welcome at Áras an Uachtaráin, where she will be received by President Michael D. Higgins in what is expected to be one of his final engagements with a senior royal, as he nears the end of his second and final term in office
The Princess Royal looked sophisticated tweed ensemble as she visited Investment Summit in Belfast in 2023
The late Queen’s daughter was joined by trade secretary Kemi Badenoch (right) during the Northern Ireland Investment Summit 2023 at the ICC
According to NewsLetter Mr Heaton-Harris said: ‘About 500 of the tangible benefits are sat next door because lots of people are in that room because they see benefits for their businesses to invest in Northern Ireland because of what the Windsor Framework is bringing.
‘On October 1 the first phase of the Windsor Framework comes in and we will see a big difference in how trade flows, and indeed goods coming into this country.
‘There is a lack of a direct air link between Northern Ireland and the United States, however it hasn’t stopped a large number of US investors coming to this investment summit.’
Earlier this week, she appeared alongside William, an animated Kate and former England rugby ace Mike Tindall on his podcast show.
Mike, 44, who is married to Zara, the Princess Royal’s daughter, is the presenter of The Good, The Bad and The Rugby.
During the appearance, Princess Anne recalled the early days of her daughter’s equestrian career, in which she won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics.
Recalling what would happen if she tried to offer her advice, keen horse rider Anne said: ‘If I made a comment I was usually told I was a dinosaur.’
Princess Anne’s no-nonsense approach to the job, and to life, seems to be universally admired.
The only daughter and second child of the late Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise was born on August 15, 1950, at Clarence House.
At that time she was third in the line of succession to the British throne, behind her mother and older brother, now King Charles. Today, she is 17th in line.
For the earlier part of her life, Anne was educated at home at Buckingham Palace until she broke tradition for princesses and went to Benenden School in Kent in 1963.
Anne began attending public engagements in 1969 when she was 18 years old. Her first act as a working royal was opening an education and training centre in Shropshire.
Since then, the Princess has established relationships with more than 300 charities and organisations across the Commonwealth and has one of the busiest working schedules of any member of the Royal Family.
She became the President of Save the Children UK in 1970, and this was the first major charity with which she became closely associated.
In 1990, when she was 39-years-old, Anne was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize by President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia for her work as president of the charity.
