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Prince William says Queen Elizabeth saw Ireland as a ‘fantastic experience’

Describes it as a ‘very big deal’ for monarchy in a new interview

JAMES O'BRIEN,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Saturday, September 24, 2011, 7:40 AM

Updated Saturday, September 24, 2011, 7:40 AM

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Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip

Prince William reveals that Queen Elizabeth’s recent visit to Ireland was “a very big deal” for the family and he described it as “a fantastic experience” for his grandmother.

He also revealed that it was his grandmother who insisted he get married in the Irish Guards uniform.

He said: "I wanted to decide what to wear for the wedding."

But the Queen decided it was to be the Irish Guards uniform. "I was given a categorical: 'No, you’ll wear this!'" he says.

He was speaking to author Robert Hardman for a new book entitled ‘Our Queen’ which was serialized in the Daily Mail.

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William stated that he followed the royal visit to Ireland closely from The Seychelles, where he was on honeymoon.

"We all wanted it to go smoothly because it was such a big deal," says Prince William. "I was keeping a careful watch on the Internet, hearing the odd snippet and seeing photographs. I know a lot of Irish people, and so many of them were excited about the visit that I knew it would go well."

"Normally," he continues, "with a lot of tours, there’s a certain amount of apprehension, but also 'I’ve done this before.' But this was like a big door opening up to her that had been locked for so long."

Reminded that the Queen’s cousin Lord Mountbatten was killed by an IRA bomb in 1979, William said it was time to put the past behind.

"It’s 'personal' v 'duty.' There’s a big difference," says Prince William.

"As far as she was concerned, in terms of the relationship between Britain and Ireland and the Troubles, it was time to move on from that.

"What’s happened has happened, and no one wants to cover it up. We must make sure all the right things are done and that the right people are said sorry to, or vice versa.

"But it was not about her losing Lord Mountbatten when she was younger. It was about the bigger picture. And the bigger picture is close relations between the state of Ireland and the UK. It was a great time to say: 'Let’s move on. Some horrendous things have been done over the years, but let’s look to the future.'

"The massive deal was the Queen going and cementing the fact that everyone should look for better things."

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15 - 52 | See all comments

ciaradexy | Nov 10, 2011, 06:58 PM EST

OBPiper, another plastic paddy! The Queen was welcome on my city! I live near the Guinness storehouse and I got a wave from her when I was cycling into town one of the evenings. The funny thing was the Anti British crowd hanging around in their Man Utd and Celtic jersies. Knobheads!

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DanOLoingsigh | Sep 26, 2011, 07:26 PM EDT

TiocfaidhArmani – A sweeping statement – I have relatives in both countries, and some celebrate their heritage, others choose not to. As English-Irish are geographically closer, it’s much easier to go home regularly, so they don’t have the same sense of exile and loss, also many find most English quite welcoming, and not the stereotypes portrayed by some.

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Sparklet | Sep 26, 2011, 11:21 AM EDT

Sheilah, I may be wrong but I don't think the queen even has a say in who gets awards. I think that might be the Prime Minister. I don't think the queen can blow her nose without Government appoval.

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breffnyblue | Sep 26, 2011, 11:18 AM EDT

Queen Elizabeth-thank you for the visit. I also thank the many good men I knew in my youth who fought for our Freedom. We do not forget the past, but we live life forward. The ultimate goal of 'one Nation' lives on.

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ancavker | Sep 26, 2011, 10:58 AM EDT

The Queen did her thing, and handled it with dignity and respect for the Irish people. I am no fan of royalty any royalty, but she did what she did well, including visiting the Garden of Remembrance. As far as Plastic Paddies, Nicoletta it is Plastic Paddies in England,and dumb Yanks in America. Those are the terms that the Irish use for those Irish living outside of Ireland. As far as the Irish in England, always a great time over there with them, and there is a real love of the music and culture of Ireland. Compare that with the Irish obsession over Man U and Coronation Street.

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TiocfaidhArmani | Sep 26, 2011, 10:19 AM EDT

firinne, as a Dublin born and bred man can I agree with you. There is no greater friend to the Irish cause then Irish America. The English born Irish largely ignore Ireland and kept their heads down as did their children.

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firinne | Sep 25, 2011, 11:42 PM EDT

I enjoyed many of the comments here regarding the English Queens visit to Ireland, however, I was most amused by the comment by “Nicoletta”, who stated that “Speaking as one born in London of Irish parents and now living in the US” who then went on to knock Irish Americans, calling them “Plastic Paddies”! Nicoletta my dear, I’m fairly certain that any Irish American friends that you might have would become far less friendly, if they knew what you call them behind their backs! Also, I happen to know that these Plastic Paddies as you call them, love and care for Ireland and the Irish people unreservedly, far more it seems, than do the people born in England! Slan

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falconflash | Sep 25, 2011, 10:04 PM EDT

The USA is now friends with Germany and Japan after ww2 and the Irish should be friends with the Brits....both countries must work together to get rid of the moslems.....

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sirpeter | Sep 25, 2011, 09:10 PM EDT

@judiron.Quote"I think the young man should return to Ireland and mind his own business. We have the death penalty and most of us approve and don't really care what he thinks. It's OUR!! business" Unquoet.So it's ok for YOU to comment on England and Ireland BUT we can't comment on the USA?

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sirpeter | Sep 25, 2011, 08:27 PM EDT

cybersharque.I'm inclined to agree with ya.Lets see what happens in the coming years.

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cybersharque | Sep 25, 2011, 12:52 PM EDT

I am a dyed-in-the-wool Republican. I am James Connolly's grandnephew, and my grandfather on the other side was a grenade-maker for Tom Barry's flying column. And I think that enough is enough. Her Majesty can't take a dump without permission from the PM and his minions, so this kind of PR campaign is very significant. The fact that the Duke of Cambridge is so enthusiastic is very telling. Listen, people, the Brits want something from us. We should exploit that desire instead of dumping all over it. We should of course investigate what the Brits are up to with a classically cynical Irish eye, but we should see what we can get for acknowledging that the is a special relationship between Eire and Britain.

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irislegalperson | Sep 25, 2011, 12:02 PM EDT

Those of you that are still back in 1916 can you please move on. It was a great visit and the Irish people in Ireland gave the queen a great welcome. Our history will never be forgotten and we will always remember what happened to our ancestors and those who died on both sides during the troubles. The horror of it all is terrible but especially for those left behind living everyday with their loss. The queen did her part and I commend her.I think it was very brave of her but she knew it had to be done. She is not a bad person and as someone said "only a figure head". Move onward and peace for all but especially for the new generation coming up in Northern Ireland.

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maryosullivan | Sep 25, 2011, 11:02 AM EDT

To jerrydonovan If this the best you can say to those with whom you disagree, reduce yourself to vulgar comments? Carry on, you make the point for all who know the truth when they hear it

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mamaginnty | Sep 25, 2011, 10:56 AM EDT

The lady is only a figure head for britain, has mellowed with age and did what she is supposed to do in any other country, honour thier dead and bow her head. She had no say what so ever about the troubles in the north of our country, and has no say now. But no one has the right to tell us to forget and move on. The word is history..and it is ours..the irish. Does anyone remember going to the old cinema's and being brainwashed as children watching the history of America, cowboy and indian films. Cowboys the goodies...indians the bad guys. get a life.

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Sheilah | Sep 25, 2011, 10:34 AM EDT

Non-partisan - then why did she give an award to the paramilitary who shot at the Irish in N.I. She's not so neutral is she. Did she apologize for that? Is spending 30 million euro and having thousands of police and soldiers and blocked off streets (not mentioned by William) considered a perfect state? I don't see how her visit helped Ireland. William wearing the Irish Guard uniform. Silly - style over substance.

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