Michael D. Higgins with Queen Elizabeth
Michael D. Higgins in London
Government House in Montserrat under Governor Adrian Davis, has issued a press release that informs, “The President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabrina, started the first ever state visit to the United Kingdom by an Irish President today Tuesday 8th April 2014.”
The four day visit comes more than 90 years after Ireland became independent from Britain and follows on to a visit that Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth made to Ireland in 2011.
Mr. Higgins and his wife were met at the airport on arrival by Prince Charles and driven to Windsor Castle for a ceremonial welcome attended by The Queen. The couple will stay at the Castle for the length of their stay in the UK. After a private lunch with The Queen the couple will be driven to Westminster Abbey in London where Mr. Higgins will lay a wreath on the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.
Other events planned for the Irish President include him speaking to both Houses of Parliament and attendance as Guest of Honour at a banquet hosted by The Queen at Windsor Castle.
Mr. Higgins has visited Montserrat, the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean, in the past when he was Ireland’s Minister of Culture. His visit coincided with Prince Andrew’s visit to the island in March 2000.
