Prince Charles has sent a warm message of friendship to the people of Ireland saying he and his wife Camilla love visiting and miss being able to do so due to the Covid-19 outbreak. The message includes a couple of lines in Irish urging people to remain safe and well.
It’s unclear why the prince chose this moment to send the message. It was released on social media by the British Embassy in Dublin saying, “HRH The Prince of Wales has sent the following message to the people of Ireland”.
“My wife and I cherish such special memories of our visit to Sligo five years ago, and of each of the visits we have made to Ireland in every year since. It has meant so much to us that we have been able to play our small part in the vital process of reconciliation on the island of Ireland and towards reaffirming the essential bond between the people of Ireland and the people of the United Kingdom.
“Although it is a matter of particular sadness that, due to the current public health crisis, we are unable to visit Ireland and Northern Ireland this year, we very much look forward to visiting again once happier times return.
Go gcastar ar a chéile arís muid.
Go dté sibh slán.
Until we all meet together again.
May you all remain safe and well.
HRH The Prince of Wales has sent the following message to the people of Ireland @ClarenceHouse @IrelandEmbGB #RoyalVisitIreland pic.twitter.com/RutYSnLebc
— British Embassy (@BritEmbDublin) May 19, 2020
Prince William and his wife the Dechess of Cambridge have also been frequent visitors to Ireland and hope to return soon.
Their last visit was in March 2020 when they visited local schools and businesses in Co Meath and Co Kildare as part of their three-day tour.
One pupil who spoke with the royals said: “It was so exciting to meet a real-life princess. They were very nice and lovely to us. They asked us all about our project on healthy eating and exercise, as we learned that Irish young people don’t get enough exercise and that one in four are overweight.”
Another pupil added: “William told us that it is important to go outside more and to get lots of sleep.”
After the visit, Prince William reached out to the people of Ireland on social media, posting a message in Irish:
“Go raibh míle maith agaibh, a chairde go léir in Éirinn.
“Thank you to all the wonderful people we met in Ireland!”
View this post on InstagramGo raibh míle maith agaibh, a chairde go léir in Éirinn ???? Thank you to all the wonderful people we met in Ireland! Swipe to see a sample of some of the lovely letters we received during #RoyalVisitIreland ? thank you to everyone that took the time to write to The Duke and Duchess. Photo © Kensington Palace
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