The Duke and Duchess of Sussex concluded day one of their official visit to Dublin at a glamorous summer garden party at the British Ambassador's Residence.
The Duchess made a stylish arrival.
The couple holding hands.
It's been a packed day for the newlyweds. This morning, they joined Her Majesty and members of the royal family for RAF Centenary events in London including a service at Westminster Abbey, a magnificent flypast and a reception with RAF personnel. From there, they flew to Dublin where they met with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and discussed a number of topics.
Glencairn House pictured ahead of the couple's arrival. Glencairn has been the official residence of successive British Ambassadors to Ireland since the 1950s.
The front gate of Glencairn House on Murphystown Road, Dublin.
It was a beautiful evening for a garden party.
An arrival video.
The Duchess met Irish writer, academic and broadcaster Sinead Burke. After the meeting Sinead tweeted "Oh my goodness. I had the great privilege and pleasure of speaking with Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Sussex this evening about the importance and power of fashion and the opportunities we’ve both been afforded by One Young World." Meghan was a counsellor with One Young World for several years. The UK-based charity gathers together the brightest young leaders from around the world, empowering them to make lasting connections to create positive change.
The Duchess made a stylish arrival.
The couple holding hands.
It's been a packed day for the newlyweds. This morning, they joined Her Majesty and members of the royal family for RAF Centenary events in London including a service at Westminster Abbey, a magnificent flypast and a reception with RAF personnel. From there, they flew to Dublin where they met with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and discussed a number of topics.
Glencairn House pictured ahead of the couple's arrival. Glencairn has been the official residence of successive British Ambassadors to Ireland since the 1950s.
The front gate of Glencairn House on Murphystown Road, Dublin.
It was a beautiful evening for a garden party.
An arrival video.
Meghan looks STUNNING #RoyalVisitIreland pic.twitter.com/WKVAl5b59s— Stephanie Grogan (@StephGrogan3) July 10, 2018
The Duke and Duchess were joined by 300 guests.
The couple met people from across Ireland's political, arts, sports, military and social enterprise sectors.
The couple met people from across Ireland's political, arts, sports, military and social enterprise sectors.
The Duchess met Irish writer, academic and broadcaster Sinead Burke. After the meeting Sinead tweeted "Oh my goodness. I had the great privilege and pleasure of speaking with Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Sussex this evening about the importance and power of fashion and the opportunities we’ve both been afforded by One Young World." Meghan was a counsellor with One Young World for several years. The UK-based charity gathers together the brightest young leaders from around the world, empowering them to make lasting connections to create positive change.
The connections don't end there. Below, Sinead pictured with former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson.
Mary Robinson is a committed One Young World counsellor. Meghan appeared in a piece for Vanity Fair with the inspiring advocate following a summit in Ottawa in 2016.
Meghan with the former president.
Prince Harry with Irish Rugby legend Brian O Driscoll.
Prince Harry with Outlander actress Catriona Balfe, Vikings star Moe Dunford and Dunkirk actor Barry Keoghan.
The Duchess met Senator Catherine Noone, who tweeted afterwards: "The Duchess & I had a chat about the recent referendum result - she watched with interest & was pleased to see the result." Ireland recently voted by a large majority to repeal a part of the constitution that banned abortions.
It was particularly interesting to read about the background of guests in attendance. The couple met cervical cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan. She was shocked when she received an invitation, telling The Journal website: "I thought I was dreaming to be honest. I said surely they got that wrong. But I met the Deputy Ambassador who said 'no absolutely not. We really wanted to have you here'. I said 'wow'. It's great. Absolutely fantastic."
Vicky's story is a heartbreaking one. More from the Irish Times:
When Meghan met Vicky she told her she has been following her story and encouraged her to keep going. More from the Independent:
Prince Harry gave an incredibly warm speech, during which he said: "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."
Harry's full speech:
Time for a toast.
The Duchess was the epitome of understated glamour in a bespoke, sleeveless, Emilia Wickstead dress with a square neckline and pocket detail. I thought it another stunning choice - she's been on a roll in terms of her sartorial choices. We haven't seen Meghan at many evening events yet, so it was a treat to see one on the Dublin itinerary.
The news Emilia Wickstead was the designer of the dress came as quite a shock to many of us and there was a collective gasp on Twitter when the news came in. If you missed the post-wedding day dress debacle, here's a refresher from Rebecca English:
Meghan wore her Aquazzura Deneuve Pumps tonight. Made in Italy, the stiletto heels are described as "A pert bow perched at the back ties together the chic detailing of a pointy-toe pump featuring side cutouts and a super slim stiletto." They retail for $750 at Nordstrom.
The Duchess carried her Givenchy Black Satin Clutch.
Meghan accessorised with the Birks Muse Citrine and Diamond Drop earrings.
A closer look at the earrings.
If you're just joining us, Click here to read the post covering Meghan's attendance at several RAF Centenary events this morning. To view the post on Meghan's stylish Dublin arrival please click here.
Tomorrow's schedule:
What do you think of day one?
Mary Robinson is a committed One Young World counsellor. Meghan appeared in a piece for Vanity Fair with the inspiring advocate following a summit in Ottawa in 2016.
Meghan with the former president.
Prince Harry with Irish Rugby legend Brian O Driscoll.
Prince Harry with Outlander actress Catriona Balfe, Vikings star Moe Dunford and Dunkirk actor Barry Keoghan.
The Duchess met Senator Catherine Noone, who tweeted afterwards: "The Duchess & I had a chat about the recent referendum result - she watched with interest & was pleased to see the result." Ireland recently voted by a large majority to repeal a part of the constitution that banned abortions.
It was particularly interesting to read about the background of guests in attendance. The couple met cervical cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan. She was shocked when she received an invitation, telling The Journal website: "I thought I was dreaming to be honest. I said surely they got that wrong. But I met the Deputy Ambassador who said 'no absolutely not. We really wanted to have you here'. I said 'wow'. It's great. Absolutely fantastic."
Vicky's story is a heartbreaking one. More from the Irish Times:
'Ms Phelan settled a High Court action against a US lab in April after her cancer was missed in a smear test three years before she was diagnosed with the disease. The test was taken as part of the CervicalCheck programme.
The missed smear test was discovered in 2014, after her cancer diagnosis, but she was not told about it until 2017.
A follow-up HSE investigation found that 209 women who were diagnosed with cervical cancer were not told about subsequent audits showing past smear tests through CervicalCheck had missed their cancers.
Despite being told she only had months to live, a new drug treatment she has been undergoing appears to be working and her tumours have shrunk significantly.'
When Meghan met Vicky she told her she has been following her story and encouraged her to keep going. More from the Independent:
"Meghan said she knew who I was and that she had been following my story. 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' - I couldn't believe she knew who I was to be honest. She just said you're doing great work. Keep doing it.'
Prince Harry gave an incredibly warm speech, during which he said: "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."
Harry's full speech:
'Thank you for the warm welcome we’ve received since being in this beautiful country. Meghan and I are delighted to be here in Dublin and in the beautiful gardens of Glencairn.
And to the Tánaiste, a special thank you. As some of you may know, he showed my father around his home city of Cork just a couple of weeks ago, so we’re very grateful to you for joining us here this evening as well. 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!
As each other’s closest neighbours, the UK and Ireland’s relationship is unique; our shared history is long and complex. There have of course been challenging, and at times tragic, periods of that relationship.
Tomorrow we hope to have the opportunity to reflect on some of those difficult passages in our history when we visit Croke Park and the Famine Memorial. On this visit we will also celebrate just how much unites us. 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. Our relationship is of course informed by our history, but it is also one which is now dynamic and forward looking.
This evening we are extremely fortunate to be joined by many of those who are shaping the future of Ireland. You embody the energy which characterises this amazing country and are leaders in your respective fields: social entrepreneurs harnessing technology to design creative solutions to some of society’s most pressing problems; world renowned athletes; award winning actors; and men and women of the defence force who are marking 60 years of service to global peacekeeping missions.
I have the greatest confidence that the friendship, collaboration and mutual understanding that our two countries have built up over the years will endure and it will grow.
I will finish by drawing on the words of President Higgins during his extraordinarily successful visit to the UK in 2014, which we still remember with admiration. He quoted the traditional Irish saying: ‘Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine’ - “we live in each other’s shadows” - we shield each other, and rely on each other for shelter. That sentiment is as apt now as it was then, as we draw strength from one another as neighbours, partners, and above all friends.
I would like to toast The President of Ireland and the people of Ireland.
Sláinte!
Time for a toast.
The Duchess was the epitome of understated glamour in a bespoke, sleeveless, Emilia Wickstead dress with a square neckline and pocket detail. I thought it another stunning choice - she's been on a roll in terms of her sartorial choices. We haven't seen Meghan at many evening events yet, so it was a treat to see one on the Dublin itinerary.
The news Emilia Wickstead was the designer of the dress came as quite a shock to many of us and there was a collective gasp on Twitter when the news came in. If you missed the post-wedding day dress debacle, here's a refresher from Rebecca English:
'The Duchess of Sussex turned on the glamour last night in a black dress by Emilia Wickstead who claimed her wedding gown was ‘identical’ to one of her own creations, creating a huge social media backlash.
The New Zealander Emilia Wickstead, commented that Meghan’s Givenchy gown was very similar to a £7,000 dress in her own collection. She also claimed Meghan's dress did not fit properly, and said her hairstyle should have been neater.
She later released a statement, saying: 'Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Sussex looked absolutely beautiful on her wedding day and I have the utmost admiration and respect for her. I do not think that her wedding dress was a copy of any of our designs. I have the greatest respect for Clare Waight Keller and the House of Givenchy — a huge source of inspiration to me.'
Meghan wore her Aquazzura Deneuve Pumps tonight. Made in Italy, the stiletto heels are described as "A pert bow perched at the back ties together the chic detailing of a pointy-toe pump featuring side cutouts and a super slim stiletto." They retail for $750 at Nordstrom.
The Duchess carried her Givenchy Black Satin Clutch.
Meghan accessorised with the Birks Muse Citrine and Diamond Drop earrings.
A closer look at the earrings.
If you're just joining us, Click here to read the post covering Meghan's attendance at several RAF Centenary events this morning. To view the post on Meghan's stylish Dublin arrival please click here.
Tomorrow's schedule:
- The Duke and Duchess will start their day with a meeting with President Michael D Higgins at his residence Aras an Uachtarain.
- Meghan and Harry will view the historic Book of Kells at Trinity College.
- The Royals will enjoy the Gaelic Sports Festival in GAA HQ.
- The newlyweds will visit the famine memorial at Dublin's docklands. They'll then tour the Irish Emigration Museum.
- Meghan and Harry will learn about tech start-ups and meet young people involved in coding workshops at DogPatch.
What do you think of day one?