Royals put their best foot forward
Brexit andBoris are put in the shade, writes Kirsty Blake Knox
Prince Harry and his new bride Meghan Markle launched a charm offensive at the British Ambassador’s residence in Dublin last night, having touched down on their whistlestop visit earlier in the day. They mingled with guests, including Vicky Phelan, at the reception. Photo: Julien Behal
AFTER Boris, David Davis and the week’s Brexit bust-up, it was up to the shiniest royals to launch a fullblown charm offensive in Ireland. For the past 18 months, senior royal members have been touring EU neighbours to let us know everything is going to be hunky dory. Britain’s Duke and Duchess of Sussex touched down in Dublin Airport in the late afternoon.
They looked suitably patriotic as they walked across the tarmac hand in hand, Meghan opting for a bottle green Givenchy pencil dress, Manolo Blahnik shoes and a Strathberry tote bag, while Harry looked dapper in a navy single-breasted suit with olive green tie. “She’s so tiny, and too perfect,” one onlooker said. “I bet she isn’t sweating in this heat.”
It was the couple’s first royal engagement abroad post-royal wedding, and comes on the back of a few busy days for the newly-weds.
Yesterday, they attended the Centenary of the Royal Air Force service at Westminster Abbey before they hopped, skipped and jumped across the pond.
The trip had been billed as a ‘mini-moon’ but Prince Harry assured Taoiseach Leo Varadkar: “It’s business really.”
Although their brief encounter lasted less than half an hour, Mr Varadkar and the Duke of Sussex managed to discuss family, rugby and, of course, the weather.
The Taoiseach gave the couple a short tour of his offices, starting with the building’s corner which was laid by Harry’s great-greatgreat grandfather Edward VII in April 1904.
Mr Varadkar noted that he was in Prince Harry’s company on one previous occasion at an Ireland versus England rugby match. The couple then headed to the Taoiseach’s office for a private meeting.
Sources say that during the private meeting, he and Prince Harry discussed the possibility of the Irish Defence Forces participating in the Invictus Games. The
Duchess also told the Taoiseach she is an honorary member of the Philosophical Society in Trinity College.
From there, the couple made their way to the British Ambassador’s residence at Glencairn in Leopardstown. The royal couple were escorted by six garda outriders in a 10-car convoy with 15 armed gardaí/special protection officers.
The couple stopped off en route for a quick costume change before walking in to coos.
“Tánaiste, Ambassador, a Dhaoine Uaisle,” the Duke of Sussex said addressing the 300 guests, before adding hastily. “I hope I said that right.” In his speech, Prince Harry thanked Tánaiste Simon Coveney for attending the garden party and for accompanying his father Prince Charles around Cork last month. “I’m glad to hear he didn’t bore you to tears,” he said.
“My father was telling us last week how much he had enjoyed his recent visit; but said that each of his visits, over the years, holds a special place in his memory.
“My grandmother, the queen, also spoke of her own visit in 2011 and the fantastic welcome that she too received.
“Standing here with you on this beautiful evening, it is easy to see why Ireland has such a special place in the hearts of my family and indeed, all those who come here.
“We’re so pleased to be here, for our first official international visit together as a married couple, and we hope it will be the first of many. This is a very special relationship between two proud, sovereign countries. We share common values; culture, business links, family ties, and possibly a similar sense of humour.”
Simon Coveney also addressed the crowd and joked he had been told to avoid the topic of Brexit. He also said the Irish were hoping that it would be “coming home” for the English team this evening. This was met with a muted round of applause.
Among the guests was Vicky Phelan, the Limerick woman was exposed the Cervical Check controversy.
She said she was “gobsmacked” when Ms Markle told her she had heard of her story and encouraged her to “keep going”.
“Meghan said she knew who I was, that she had been following my story and that I was doing great. I thought, ‘Oh my god, that is amazing’. That was a bonus. I knew people knew [my story] elsewhere but you don’t think the royals watch anything like this ... I was amazed, I was gobsmacked. I just said ‘thank you’.
Meanwhile, tonight’s World Cup match between England and Croatia was a handy ice breaker for former Ireland rugby captain Brian O’Driscoll who attended the party with his actress wife, Amy Huberman. He asked Prince Harry “is it coming home?”.
“He didn’t jump at me immediately saying yes it was, so I am thinking there is either humility or he is not sure whether he is coming home or not,” he laughed.