The State visit to the U.K. by President Michael D Higgins formally gets underway this morning.
He's described the visit as "emotional" and says he hopes it'll bring the two nations "ever more closer".
The visit gets underway this morning when the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall meet President and Mrs Higgins at the Irish Embassy.
They'll travel to Windsor for a ceremonial welcome by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip where the streets are lined with Irish tricolours and union flags, lunch in the Castle and viewing Irish items in the Royal collection.
This afternoon he'll address a joint session of Parliament, before returning to Windsor and the State Banquet where he will address the gathering, as will Queen Elizabeth.
Among the guests will be An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.
