Prince Charles has attended his first ever event at the Irish Embassy in London, a forerunner to a state trip to Ireland by his mother which will take place in 2011.
Prince Charles accompanied by his wife Camilla, told the Embassy reception that Ireland and Britain must learn to become “subjects of our history, not its prisoners”.
“At the end of the day, we should never forget that our acquaintance has been long. We can turn that knowing into something new and creative – to no longer be victims of our difficult history with each other.
“Without glossing over the pain and suffering of the past, we can, I believe, integrate our history and memory in order to reap their subtle harvest of possibility. Imagination after all is the mother of possibility.
“I hope that we can endeavour to become the subject of our history, and not its prisoners,” said the prince.
He paid tribute to the Irish in Britain estimated at six million including those of Irish heritage for their incredible contribution to British life.
“The strength of the economic relationship between the two countries is illustrated by the fact that the two do more business together than the UK manages to do with China, he said.
The gathering was also attended by Bob Geldof, Ian Paisley, the former Ulster Unionist Party leader Lord David Trimble; former SDLP leader MP Mark Durkan and British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh.
Irish Ambassador Bobby McDonagh, an Oxford graduate, stated he was delighted to welcome the prince and the duchess: “The relations between our two countries have never been better; the only mode is one of friendship.”
Former top English television host Terry Wogan, born in Limerick, hailed the event but referred to tough times in Ireland.
Wogan said “People are a little depressed by the appalling economic situation but these are a people who have been through privation, starvation, oppression, discrimination, emigration, and they still come up smiling and singing.
Turning to Prince Charles he said “I hope that when your mother, Her Majesty the Queen, travels over to Ireland, she will enjoy a very warm welcome.”
Band Aid creator Bob Geldof said the visit to the Embassy by the prince showed a new maturity in the relationship and said those opposing the Queen’s visit to Ireland “should get over it”.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Searlit | Nov 12, 2010, 02:58 PM EST
Never give up hope ancavker.
ancavker | Nov 12, 2010, 01:55 PM EST
The Berlin wall gone, China the major economic power in the world today, Germany reunited, communism gone in Russia. And 80 plus years on and we still have partition; how ironic is that. Not that it may matter all that much any more, but still ironic.
ancavker | Nov 11, 2010, 09:31 PM EST
The Berlin wall gone, the fall of communist Russia, the Queen welcomed in Ireland. I can die now because I've seen it all.
Towngate | Nov 11, 2010, 04:14 PM EST
The comments on this Post have shown just how much interest there is in the subject. I look forward to a bit more gentle jousting on it. They might develop into something significant as the Queens proposed Visit gets nearer.I have re-read what Charles said and agree wholeheartedly. I promise I did not write them! He may make a wonderful King and in time present us with the fruit of his loins:- King Billy!
Searlit | Nov 11, 2010, 01:49 PM EST
ancavker: I don't think the people who ignore their heritage are in the majority. There's plenty of people in America that don't like the pop music in America, and there's plenty of people who can find fault with America's political history. Ill bet that the majority in Ireland are interested in their Ancient history. The ancient history connects us all. I find it amusing that they call us yanks. :-)
Searlit | Nov 11, 2010, 01:37 PM EST
Touche, Towngate. I suppose it looks different to someone looking at Ireland versus living there. Ireland has seemed to put forth a pretty good visual to the rest of the world. We're quite charmed by the Land of Saints and Scholars, in spite their sometimes roguish behaviors.
ancavker | Nov 11, 2010, 10:02 AM EST
searlet: The Irish do have an identity, and a wonderful one at that. Sadly many choose to ignore it,a nd are in fact ashamed and embarrased by it. That is why so many of them ook to England and the U.S. for their identity. If its English or American its "brilliant", if its Irish, then it's who cares about that ould @hite> It is one thing for the young people of IReland or anywhere for that matter to like popular culture and embrace it etc., that is totally fine, but the open contempt and hostility that so many Irish have to their own culture is shocking to me. They don't have to like it, but they should at least appreciate and respect it. Just looka t how many Irish-Americans can comfortably embrace the music of Ireland as well as rock, or rap and country, and look at all the experimentation and cross influences they have embraced, which is reflected in so many bands out there. But we just cannot win with the Irish in Ireland we are still just dumb yanks, just like our counterparts in England are plastic paddies.
ancavker | Nov 11, 2010, 09:51 AM EST
towngate: The argument that Ireland was never united until the English conquered it, is old and threadbare. True it was not united when Strongbow and his boys arrived. However, it did have a high king who was recognized as the king of all of Ireland, of course he was merely a figure head,and had no real power, but the concept was there that the island of Ireland was one unit. And this of course at a time when there was no united France, and Germany and Italy would have to wait to come inot existence iuntil the middle 1800's. Even England was not fully united at that time. Also it was very difficult to develop a politically united country, when you were constantly being invaded by your larger neighbor next door. ALso the fact remains that England imposed partition on the Irish people. It was only accepted by Collins at the time as it was supposed to be a temporary solution. Sadly most of the best minds and forwrd thinkers including Collins were wasted in the futile civil war, and or left the country. Lesser people like Cosgrave and De Valera ensured that the country wouled never fully develop even after achieving freedom.
Towngate | Nov 11, 2010, 06:21 AM EST
Searlit,thanks. You start off with a ridiculous sweeping statement and then thankfully, you get sensible about it. Simply expressing our views on Irelands modern identity is not to disrespect or obliterate our islands long and proud heritage - the last 800 years of which was heavily influenced by the next Island along.For the last 100 years, at least, America has left its welcome mark too,so it is not surprising those influences are reflected in the Irish Accent(s),Psyche,Outlook, Art, Music, etc, today, and are first identified in our Accents and the everchanging living language we share. ... Our tottering Irish state needs help. Perhaps they wouldn't if we had the courage to assert ourselves properly,and fashioned our State on our own natures and to our own requirements, rather than the 'mirror-image' of the British model that we chose to set up. Ireland is a re-PUBLIC - all of it belongs to the Citizens who live here. Everyone in Great Britain is a Subject of the Crown! 84% of the land is still in private ownership. There is a world of difference between us - yet as Irish, with endless opportunity to make our individual mark,politically and socially - reflecting all our Ancient and Modern influences,failed to do so and can only offer the World a cloudy and cracked reflection of the folks next door!
Lorcan31 | Nov 11, 2010, 05:34 AM EST
downinthebasement , i'm curious about something , would you consider Theobald Wolfe Tone and Robert Emmet as good God-fearing me ? Would it be wise to emulate these two fine men ? or are they to far outside the prod circle of trust ?
Lorcan31 | Nov 11, 2010, 05:23 AM EST
downinthebasement '' The Protestants in the USA and Canada and Australia do a pretty good job of building and creating '' Yeah after they have tore down and destroyed what was there previous to their arrivial , no amount of historical revisionism or négationnisme will hide the brutal crimes committed by these ''God-fearing huns'' you only have observe whats going on in the middle east to understand the track record of your kind in the past .
mcdolan | Nov 11, 2010, 02:05 AM EST
I have no objection to the Queen's visit and trust that Irish people will be as gracious and welcoming to her as they are by nature -- we have moved on and economically are great trading partners of Britain! HOWEVER, we really cannot afford the cost this trip involves (security, pomp and circumstance, etc.) being only a few Euro from bankruptcy as a country. This is my main concern!!
JOHNTOBIN | Nov 11, 2010, 01:28 AM EST
To S.Connolly-how would you feel if the Brits decided to kick out all the Irish living in the United Kingdom?
downinthebasement | Nov 10, 2010, 10:58 PM EST
The Protestants in the USA and Canada and Australia do a pretty good job of building and creating... I say emulate what the God-fearing Protestants are doing in Ulster... Learn from their Protestant work ethic...
Searlit | Nov 10, 2010, 09:02 PM EST
Such absurdity! The Irish have more identity than the rest of Europe put together. Their history is traceable to the Neolithic period, and the Celts bestowed their Gaelic traditions of Brehon Law, Druids, Bards and Musicians, on Ireland, as well as their Celtic language. No amount of oppression by England was able to deny them their identity. They've kept it despite penal codes, plantation, starvation, eviction and occupation. Other European countries have their roots in the Celtic tribes which covered the whole of Europe, but their histories were forever changed, it seems, by the Roman Empire. In this modern, connected world, we are all influenced by our neighbors and friends. Let's hope it will be friendly, now.
Towngate | Nov 10, 2010, 06:10 PM EST
@ancavker: You are right in your thoughtful comment. The Irish have never really developed their identity. The structure of Society and the Administration, Justice and Education Systems are virtually unchanged and the proximity of the UK and benign influence of the USA has resulted in this "Bri-rish-ican" hybrid you so brilliantly observe.Ironically, after 8oo years 'together' we are now, after a brief seperation, even closer than ever! @S.Connolly: you are confused. Being a relative you will know James was a Scot and therefore British - and a British Soldier at that! Brits out? To follow your reasoning,you would now kick your own flesh and blood out of the free country you say he gave his life for! And in case you hadn't noticed,they ARE out.
barneyjo | Nov 10, 2010, 05:39 PM EST
@S.Connolly: Be careful what you wish for. Supposing the Yanks, the Aussies, the Kiwis and indeed the Brits demand that the Irish should leave those countries, where will they go? And what about the twenty thousand or so English ex pats who have made a life for themselves in Ireland, who work, who pay taxes, who contribute to the wellbeing of the Nation? Should they leave? And then who will we pick on? the Portugese, the Romanians, the Slavs?and you say that you are a decendant of James Connolly? If that is so, you dont seem to know what your relative actually believed in. I can tell you WITH CERTAINTY, it was not the kind of Ireland you have espoused in your post, thats for sure. I'd go as far as to say that your comments are an insult and slur on the memory of James Connolly and on the sacrafice he made!!
barneyjo | Nov 10, 2010, 05:31 PM EST
Taking account of some of the comments here, The lyrics of the Paul Brady song "The Island" come to mind; "And we're still at it in our own place - still trying to reach the future through the past. Still trying to carve tomorrow from a toombstone!!" Oh and the film "Groundhog Day" also springs to mind!!
S.Connolly | Nov 10, 2010, 05:17 PM EST
Being related to James Connolly who gave his life for a free Ireland, this visit is an total insult to his name and all those brave men,women and children that the Brits killed either by bullet or starvation. We want the Brits OUT of Ireland, not coming in.
ancavker | Nov 10, 2010, 04:30 PM EST
I could care less, if herself wants to come to Ireland. If she wants to, and the Irish want her to, than so be it. And the Irish are of course fascinated with the royal family and all that is British, specificallY English. They have adopted this weird British/American hybrid culture while dumping their own. The Queen visiting is just another part of that. But again if she wants to and the Irish people want her to than no big deal. What I find ironic though is the talk of moving on in the article, and yet in this day an age we have royal families, and queens, and princes,and lords and ladies, and you majesty. That I just do not understand; talk about being trapped in history.
Towngate | Nov 10, 2010, 04:27 PM EST
I understand Her Majesty is very fond of the British Commonwealth of Nations and it may grieve her that Ireland ceased to be a member in 1948 - only four years before her Coronation. But why exactly is she keen to make a State Visit just one hundred years since the last Royal Visit? ...The Palace has already ruled out her asking for the country back because we've made such a 'pigs ear' of it! - THAT would be so rude! ... then why only five years before the Centenery of the Easter'Rising' in 2016? I think she may have a surprise for us all! .... Now a gentle remark to @Lauraine: "Where would we be..?" You can judge for yourself by seeing exactly what we've done with our last seventy years of 'freedom'. ... and @Chieftain: be honest! Ireland was not a united country when the English King landed unopposed at Baginbun.It only became a united political entity by their governance. Yet I must agree it WAS a divided country when they left.But remember well,a Chara,Ireland was not divided by the 'British' then - it is not divided by Prince Charles now - you know it was divided the IRISH living in Ireland well before the 'British' left! ... Slainte!
Hannrick | Nov 10, 2010, 02:19 PM EST
HEY PEOPLE, get over it, its time to move on. The old way has not worked very well, yes it is time to shake hands and see what we can do for each other in a positive manner.
killowen | Nov 10, 2010, 01:24 PM EST
the Hanoverian crud of Erin paving the way for Mother queenie next year. It good for their subjects. Methinks returning to commonwealth is next in the cards. God save their glorious Brit masters. She be waving the standard when she comes - note the harp for ireland on it - still, deemed being theirs.
Sparklet | Nov 10, 2010, 01:18 PM EST
Disgusting man. I dont think the royal family have a lot of power so dont hold them responsible for anything political. But I hold him responsible for the death of his sons' mother. And that self-centred mare that he lives with - she should have married him when she had the chance. Once she gave up that chance, she should have left him, and his marriage, alone. Dont disagree with his sentiments, but wonder if he actually believes it. Selfish man who doesnt care about anyone but himself.
DrTrelawney | Nov 10, 2010, 12:36 PM EST
It is hilarious how any mention of the British Royal Family instantly scares up the usual semi-literate, paranoid, chip-on-the-shoulder hysteria from our American friends. For goodness sake, move on.
irishfez | Nov 10, 2010, 11:58 AM EST
This picture makes me want to vomit
Chieftain | Nov 10, 2010, 11:27 AM EST
Tell you what Prince Chaz, make Ireland whole again and give up the North and then ireland may consider your offer. Until then....GFY. Tiocfaidh ar la
Lauraine | Nov 10, 2010, 11:23 AM EST
"To no longer be victims of OUR difficult history..." Give me a break! Instead of this let's make nice illusion they are trying to create, they need to stay home and pack up some of those precious crown jewels as reparation for the 300 years of torture, pilferage and utter disregard for millions of human beings. Where would Ireland be right now had they had a 300 year jump on their lives? The Queen needs to put her money where her mouth is and really help the people of Ireland right now. This comment is for my great grandfather Peter who was forced out of his beloved country and traveled in steerage to the unknown, leaving his family behind. He was barely an adult.
dermot.r | Nov 10, 2010, 10:21 AM EST
Born and raised in Belfast, ethnically cleansed, and 'forced' to emigrate to the USA for a better life, I know whereof I speak. It's time to make peace with our neighbors across the water, and it begins with a handshake and a warm welcome to our shores. Let's leave a legacy of hope to our children by investing in good relations now.
judiron | Nov 10, 2010, 10:16 AM EST
That's nothing, wait till oBAMA comes over, says he's Irish, and how he can run your country.
judiron | Nov 10, 2010, 10:14 AM EST
I can't understand why the gueen doesn't give the crown to her grandson, William, she doesn't want Charles to be king, he's not to bright.
Irishlassred | Nov 10, 2010, 10:05 AM EST
Not as long as this granddaughter of Irish immigrants has breath in her body. Those Brits forced my family to leave their country with nothing more then the shirts on their backs. Screw 'em all
tomgallagher | Nov 10, 2010, 09:44 AM EST
Echoing the words of Bob Geldof, "Get over it".
Dublinjas | Nov 10, 2010, 09:42 AM EST
Bob Geldof said those opposing the Queen’s visit to Ireland “should get over it”. Yeah we might get over that Bob but how are we gonna get over a Ahole like you ?.
Lorcan31 | Nov 10, 2010, 09:08 AM EST
The tax payer's had to pay for the clean up after the orange filt tried to march down O'connell street the last time and now this tramp is coming which will cause more mayhem and unrest at the tax payers expense , and what of the security and the cops , will they have to blast the Irish of the steets with a water cannon to make way for lizzy ?
Lorcan31 | Nov 10, 2010, 08:56 AM EST
'' Turning to Prince Charles he said “I hope that when your mother, Her Majesty the Queen, travels over to Ireland, she will enjoy a very warm welcome.” This section mad me laugh uncontrollably , stay were you are lizzy you gee bag , we dont want you in Ireland .