King Charles's fresh plans for overseas trip in doubt as cancer treatment continues
King Charles's plans to take a state trip to Ireland in a bid to reconstitute Anglo-Irish relations are in doubt as he continues cancer treatment
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King Charles's plans to take a state trip to Ireland in a bid to reconstitute Anglo-Irish relations are in doubt as he continues cancer treatment.
The monarch wants to visit the country, according to a senior government source, but it would take four to six months to prepare.
The trip would follow in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth II and George V who both previously visited while reigning as monarchs.
London and Dublin are said to be keen on going ahead with the trip to help improve relations.
King Charles's plans to take a state trip to Ireland in a bid to reconstitute Anglo-Irish relations are in doubt as he continues cancer treatmentGettyHowever, one UK Government source said although the King and Queen Camilla "definitely" want to attend, it would take officials up to six months to organise.
The King's health will also no doubt contribute towards the decision.
Charles would be expected to attend a number of events in Dublin and other parts of Ireland during the trip, which would likely last several days.
He became the first member of the British Royal Family - when he was the Prince of Wales - to visit Ireland after it announced independence from Britain in 1919.
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King Charles became the first member of the British Royal Family - when he was the Prince of Wales - to visit Ireland after it announced independence from Britain in 1919
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Queen Elizabeth was the first British monarch to tour an independent Ireland in 2011.
Her four-day trip consisted of the late Queen making a personal speech in which she spoke Irish and visited Croke Park stadium, where 14 people died in a slaughter by British forces.
The King's possible visit comes as newly elected Labour plan to repair relations with Ireland.
It follows comments by Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris who said the next generation will "never forgive us" if the opportunity to reset Anglo-Irish relations is not used.
King Charles and Camilla in the Republic of Ireland in 2019
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Despite there being "clear policy differences and difficulties and challenges" between the UK and Ireland since Brexit, Harris said he is keen to work alongside with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
The Taoiseach has been invited to Downing Street on July 17 by the Labour leader.
Harris said that the British-Irish relationship remains robust, and he expressed his intention to explore ways to promise the commitments of the Good Friday Agreement.