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Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton are said to be \u201clooking forward to building a lasting friendship with the Irish people\u201d during their first official visit to Ireland, Kensington Palace has announced.<\/p>\nPrince William and his wife Kate Middleton are said to be \u201clooking forward to building a lasting friendship with the Irish people\u201d during their first official visit to Ireland, Kensington Palace has announced.<\/p>\n
During the three-day visit, William and Kate will meet President Michael D Higgins and spend time in Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Galway.<\/p>\n
The visit, from March 3-5, will highlight the strong links between the UK and Ireland, and the couple\u2019s program will take in Ireland\u2019s rich culture, community initiatives and spectacular scenery, the palace said in a statement.<\/p>\n
It added: \u201cFollowing Her Majesty the Queen\u2019s historic visit in 2011, the visit will also focus on the relationship between the two countries, and build on the theme of remembrance and reconciliation.\u201d<\/p>\n
It also said: \u201cThe UK\u2019s links with Ireland are extensive, and the duke and duchess are looking forward to building a lasting friendship with the Irish people.\u201d<\/p>\n
They trip, which unusually was announced in advance, is likely to be seen as a diplomacy visit in the wake of Brexit.<\/p>\n
William and Kate are also due to meet the Taoiseach but it is not clear who will welcome the couple after the top three political parties fell short of winning a majority in the recent general election.<\/p>\n
Fianna F\u00e1il, Sinn F\u00e9in and Fine Gael finished in an almost dead heat and talks between the parties have been ongoing over the last two weeks to agree a coalition deal.<\/p>\n