Michael D Higgins has praised the “significant contribution” Princess Anne has made to the relationship between Ireland and Britain.
The President made his remarks when he met her at his official residence in Dublin on Wednesday.
Princess Anne visited Áras an Uachtaráin in what has been described as “a courtesy call”.
King Charles’s sister met Mr Higgins and his wife, Sabina, on her second visit to the Áras.
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She was greeted by Orla O’Hanrahan, the secretary general to Mr Higgins, and escorted to the state reception room where she shook hands with the President and his wife.
Princess Anne said: “It’s a little bit warmer than our usual meetings. It’s a better time of year, isn’t it.”
She also told Mr Higgins it was “very kind of you” after he invited her to sign the visitors’ book.
After asking where on the page to place her signature, she said she did not want to “waste an entire page”.
Mrs Higgins told her: “You deserve a whole page.”
The princess signed it “Anne. 6th August 2025″.
Princess Anne remarked how the President has been in office for “quite a long time”.
Mr Higgins said he had been in the role for 14 years, but his tenure would end in November.
After enquiring whether they spent all their time at the Áras, the couple replied “all the time”.
“It’s a nice spot,” Princess Anne said.
She also praised Mr Higgins and his wife for attending a number of rugby games with her.
In a statement following their meeting, Mr Higgins said: “It was a pleasure to renew my conversations with Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, and to recognise the significant contribution which she has made over so many years to the relationship between our two countries.
“I was also pleased to recognise the contribution which The Princess Royal has made to equestrian sports over the years as well as to related learning and therapy services.
“I further took the opportunity to extend my best wishes to His Majesty King Charles and to recall his unwavering support for peace and reconciliation.”
Princess Anne, a keen equestrian, is attending the official opening day of the 150th Dublin Horse Show at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS).
During the visit, she is to tour an exhibition on the history of the show and meet representatives from Festina Lente – a Bray-based charity offering equine-assisted learning and therapy services – and the Riding for the Disabled Association Ireland.
Princess Anne, who competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games in the equestrian three-day event, will also present rosettes to the winners in Class 20 of the Small Hunters competition.
The British Ambassador to Ireland, Paul Johnston, said: “The Princess Royal’s visit underscores the deep and enduring friendship between the United Kingdom and Ireland and the significance of the 150th holding of the RDS Dublin Horse Show.
“Her Royal Highness has visited Ireland on many occasions, including as patron of the Scottish Rugby Union for their biannual Six Nations games here.
“Her visit this week reflects her lifelong interest in equestrianism and charitable work.”
Mr Higgins has had significant interaction with the British royal family over the course of his two terms.
In 2014, he became the first President of Ireland to make a state visit to the United Kingdom, reciprocating the visit made by Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland in 2011.
Princess Anne visited Áras an Uachtaráin in February 2004 during engagements where she was greeted by Mary McAleese, who was then president.
The princess was accompanied on that private visit by the British ambassador to Ireland at the time, Stewart Eldon.
Members of the royal family have visited the President’s residence on several other occasions.
In 2020, Prince William and his wife Catherine had a tea party with Mr and Mrs Higgins at the Áras during a three-day visit and met one of the President’s dogs, Bród. – PA
