Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Michael D Higgins arrives at Heathrow Airport yesterday evening. Chris Bellew/Fennell Photography

Here's what the President is up to on day one of his State visit to the UK

A meeting with the Queen, an address to both houses of Parliament, and a State banquet among other things…

DAY ONE OF Michael D Higgins State visit to the UK will see him address both houses of Parliament and attend a historic State banquet among several other events today.

The President arrived in a rain-soaked London yesterday evening after departing from Baldonnel.

Before he left he told the media of his hope that not only would official visits such as these become more regular but that it would happen “very naturally” for ordinary Irish and British people.

This morning, the President and his wife Sabina will be greeted by the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall at the Irish Embassy, after which they will depart together for Windsor.

There, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip will formally greet the President and Sabina at the Royal Dais on Datchet Road before travel by horse-drawn carriage for a ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle.

In the quadrangle at the castle, the President, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, will inspect the Guard of Honour. As part of the formal welcome, the Guard of Honour will give the Royal Salute, and the band will play the Irish and British National Anthems.

After a lunch, the President will view Irish-related items in the Royal Collection. The President will then go to Westminster Abbey before laying a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Soldier.

Then he will meet both the speaker of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, before delivering an address to both houses in the Royal Gallery.

In the evening, the President will receive a courtesy call from the British Labour party leader Ed Miliband at Windsor Castle.

Then it’s the State banquet with the Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Prime Minister David Cameron will be among the many dignitaries in attendance attendance as well as Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness.

Follow all our State Visit coverage here >

Touchdown: The President has arrived in the UK as historic State visit begins

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
38 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul
    Favourite Paul
    Report
    Apr 24th 2019, 12:18 PM

    Suggestion. If viable, the seized drugs could be cleaned and refined so it may be possible to use the end product in pharma

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nigel Mcatamney
    Favourite Nigel Mcatamney
    Report
    Apr 24th 2019, 2:04 PM

    @Paul: good idea, only there’s very little coke in irelands coke, and the way our authorities price Cannabis, we be buying back 4 fold from pharma…. But your progressive thinking is what’s needed as opposed to all the nay sayers.

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Todd Hebert
    Favourite Todd Hebert
    Report
    Apr 24th 2019, 2:23 PM

    More wasted Gardaí resources. :(
    Legalise, regulate, tax!

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick.
    Favourite Mick.
    Report
    Apr 24th 2019, 3:08 PM

    @Todd Hebert: Ahh yes the legalise argument. Why not legalise Crystal Meth and Heroin too!!!
    Maybe we can give Fentanyl out like sherbet while we are at it!!! What could possibly go wrong?????

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Wez Moore
    Favourite Wez Moore
    Report
    Apr 24th 2019, 3:27 PM

    @Mick.: Let’s take it one step at a time.. Although I appreciate your enthusiasm.

    22
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seamus Mac
    Favourite Seamus Mac
    Report
    Apr 24th 2019, 5:51 PM

    @Todd Hebert: i saw a guy last week beating the shxt out of his girlfriend outside their house. They were fighting over heroin. I intervened & called the guards. Drugs are a poison on our society. We need more regulation & stricter sentencing along with adequate rehabilitation resources.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Donoghue
    Favourite Tony Donoghue
    Report
    Apr 24th 2019, 11:37 AM

    Grassed up?

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Binéad
    Favourite Niall Binéad
    Report
    Apr 24th 2019, 11:46 AM

    @Tony Donoghue: welcome to the debate!

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Donoghue
    Favourite Tony Donoghue
    Report
    Apr 24th 2019, 12:05 PM

    @Niall Binéad: are u the master?

    17
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Binéad
    Favourite Niall Binéad
    Report
    Apr 24th 2019, 12:18 PM

    @Tony Donoghue: my welcoming you to the debate was sarcastic….. what does grassed up even mean? Are u the master? Wtf does that also mean? If you’re going to add your voice towards the content of the article…. great, if you’re just going to try start your own conversation….. great, I’m out!

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Karen Wellington
    Favourite Karen Wellington
    Report
    Apr 24th 2019, 12:26 PM

    @Niall Binéad: I believe it’s a pun; marijuana sometime being referred to colloquially as ‘grass’, which is also a verb meaning to inform the authorities of another’s (illicit) activities.

    This is a comments section, not a moderated debate.

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Donoghue
    Favourite Tony Donoghue
    Report
    Apr 24th 2019, 12:40 PM

    @Niall Binéad: I know we don’t want Trump & O’Sullivan out so early, hopefully he will win final frame decider!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fr Romeo sensini.
    Favourite Fr Romeo sensini.
    Report
    Apr 24th 2019, 12:41 PM

    @Karen Wellington: I’m impressed.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Donoghue
    Favourite Tony Donoghue
    Report
    Apr 24th 2019, 3:31 PM

    @Niall Binéad: chill dude, you’ve become v uptight since all that cannabis was seized!

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute McNulty Jimmy
    Favourite McNulty Jimmy
    Report
    Apr 24th 2019, 5:45 PM

    Bit of a stretch calling Ballyfermot west Dublin

    4
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds