President of Ireland, Catheirne Connolly.RollingNews.ie

The Galway woman visited Buckingham Palace on Monday afternoon, where she extended an invitation to the British monarch to visit Ireland next year.

President Connolly’s trip to the UK will also see her pay a visit to Leeds.

At the first meeting of the Irish President and the British King, the pair were photographed smiling and shaking hands as Connolly extended the invite.

One such photograph has emerged of the pair on their meeting, which may show President Connolly breaking some rules.

On their meeting, the pair shake hands, with Connolly placing her left hand on the arm of the British King.

There are certain manners to be followed when it comes to meeting the head of the British Monarchy.

In the initial introductions, you should address the King (or Queen!) as Your Majesty.

According to royal protocol, you should never touch the King or invade his space.

The BBC previously reported that you should only shake their hand if they offer it.

Was Catherine Connolly’s touch of the arm a breach?

The arm touch can be seen as a sign of closeness and friendliness.

It would be accurate to say that rules surrounding monarchy introductions are vastly changing, and not as strict as they were in the past.

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If President Connolly’s arm touch can be justified as a breach in royal protocol, she wouldn’t be the first to cross the line.

In 2009, then First Lady of the United States of America Michelle Obama broke protocol when she hugged Queen Elizabeth II.

In 2018, Joe Biden is thought to have broken protocol during his state visit to Windsor Castle when he walked ahead of Prince Philip.

The Palace later denied reports that protocol had been broken, according to the Independent.

Irrespective of whether President Connolly breached protocol, there doesn’t seem to be any issue as King Charles happily accepted her invitation to Ireland in 2027.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Connolly said she and Charles had discussed a range of issues, including climate change and the environment.

She said: ‘Actually, I had a lot in common with the King in relation to the environment and climate change.

‘I think the highlight really was the invitation that I extended to him as the 10th president of Ireland to make a State visit to Ireland, and he graciously accepted that.’