Ireland's new Ambassador to the Court of St James, Mr Daith∅ ╙ Ceallaigh, formally presented his Letters of Credence to Queen Elizabeth at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace yesterday.
Officials and family members accompanied the new ambassador and his wife in stately procession by three horse-drawn carriages for the short journey from the Irish embassy to the entrance of the Palace and a full red-carpet reception.
After staff were briefed in the Bow Room on procedure for their introduction to the queen, the ambassador took-up position at the doors of the 1844 Room. A bell rang and the doors were opened by pages to admit the ambassador, for whom "a neck bow" was sufficient, accompanied by the marshal to his right and an Equerry on his left.
The Marshall announced. "The ambassador of Ireland, Your Majesty," then he and the Equerry withdrew backwards as the doors were closed. The ambassador stepped forward making a third head bow before the formal handshake, announcing: "Your Majesty, I have the honour to present the Letter of Recall of my predecessor and my own Letter of Credence."
After private conversation with the ambassador the queen met embassy staff and Mrs ╙ Ceallaigh.
An hour after their departure Mr and Mrs ╙ Ceallaigh returned to the embassy to greet the marshall and other guests for Vin d'Honneur.