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William and Kate end first day of Irish visit with a Guinness | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have ended the first day of their first official visit to the Republic of Ireland with a pint of the black stuff. | |
The royal couple arrived at Dublin Airport for the three-day trip on Tuesday afternoon. | The royal couple arrived at Dublin Airport for the three-day trip on Tuesday afternoon. |
They began the visit by meeting Irish President Michael D Higgins at his residence, Áras an Uachtaráin. | |
The day ended with Prince William speaking some words of Irish at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin. | |
The Duke of Cambridge opened a speech at a reception hosted by the British ambassador to Ireland by saying: "Ladies and gentlemen, a dhaoine uaisle [noble people]." | |
"We are very much looking forward to our next two days in Ireland, where I have no doubt we will continue to be impressed by the creativity, warmth and hospitality the Irish people have to offer," he added. | |
After his speech, the duke raised his pint of Guinness and took a sip as he uttered the Irish toast "Slainte". | |
During their earlier meeting with President Higgins, the duke and duchess discussed the implications of Brexit. | |
They also chatted about building on the foundations of the Good Friday Agreement, which ushered in peace in Northern Ireland, a spokesman for the president said. | |
The duke and duchess attended a string of formal events during the day, including meeting Taoiseach (prime minister) Leo Varadkar at the country's government buildings. | |
They travelled to the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin - dedicated to people who fought for Irish independence - where they laid a wreath. | |
Their handwritten message on the wreath read: "May we never forget the lessons of history as we continue to build a brighter future together." | |
Royals pay tribute to Irish dead | Royals pay tribute to Irish dead |
At the scene - Amy Stewart, BBC News NI | At the scene - Amy Stewart, BBC News NI |
It may be a chilly day in Dublin but the sun came out for the duke and duchess. | It may be a chilly day in Dublin but the sun came out for the duke and duchess. |
Their visit to the Garden of Remembrance, where Irish people remember those who fought for independence, was not open to the public but a modest crowd gathered outside nonetheless. | Their visit to the Garden of Remembrance, where Irish people remember those who fought for independence, was not open to the public but a modest crowd gathered outside nonetheless. |
They were treated to a piper playing an Irish lament before a cheer erupted. | They were treated to a piper playing an Irish lament before a cheer erupted. |
They had arrived - and to a warm welcome. | They had arrived - and to a warm welcome. |
Almost a decade after the Queen bowed her head and laid a wreath at the Garden of Remembrance, the next generation of royals repeated the gesture. | Almost a decade after the Queen bowed her head and laid a wreath at the Garden of Remembrance, the next generation of royals repeated the gesture. |
It may not have had the same significance as 2011's turning point in Anglo-Irish relations but it was another step in continuing the friendship. | It may not have had the same significance as 2011's turning point in Anglo-Irish relations but it was another step in continuing the friendship. |
Read more from Amy: What do William and Kate hope to achieve in Ireland? | Read more from Amy: What do William and Kate hope to achieve in Ireland? |
Among those watching at the Garden of Remembrance was Melissa Garza, from Texas. | |
"I saw this was on the list so I came along to see them," he said. | |
"It was great and so important to lay a wreath like the Queen did." | |
Hilary, from County Monaghan, said she was "disappointed" in the number of people who tried to catch a glimpse. | Hilary, from County Monaghan, said she was "disappointed" in the number of people who tried to catch a glimpse. |
"It was a poor enough crowd - maybe people didn't know or they were busy. | |
"Maybe Dubliners are indifferent." | |
Helena, from Dublin, watched as her partner made up part of the guard of honour for the ceremony. | Helena, from Dublin, watched as her partner made up part of the guard of honour for the ceremony. |
She said she would have come anyway as it was "lovely to see Kate and William". | |
The royal visit aims to highlight the "many strong links between the UK and Ireland", Kensington Palace said. | |
During their stay, the couple are visiting Dublin, Galway and counties Meath and Kildare. | |
They have visited Belfast on a number of occasions and last month Catherine returned to Northern Ireland, where she met children at an open farm in County Down. | |