Prince William Will Reflect on the Troubles in a Speech in Ireland Later Today
Prince William will describe laying a wreath in honor of those who died fighting for Irish independence as “truly profound” in a speech tonight. The Duke of Cambridge will address guests at a Dublin reception at the city's Museum of Literature where he will speak of the “complexity of our shared history” between Britain and Ireland.
His words follow the Queen’s 2011 speech during her historic visit to the country where she became the first British monarch to visit Ireland in 100 years and the first ever since it gained independence. In an address made at Dublin Castle, she notably said, “With the benefit of historical hindsight we can all see things which we would wish had been done differently or not at all.”
Tonight, William is expected to reflect on the Troubles by saying: “Growing up I remember seeing the Troubles that took place, which affected so many people across the UK and Ireland. This explains why one of the truly profound moments for Catherine and I took place yesterday when we laid a wreath at the Garden of Remembrance. It was a reminder of the complexity of our shared history, and as my grandmother said during her visit in 2011, 'our islands have experienced more than their fair share of heartache and turbulence.'”
In his landmark address on his first official visit to Ireland, William will also speak of “how far we have come.”
“It is right that we continue to remember those who suffered as a consequence of our troubled past. And whilst many wrongs have been done, it is important that we are not bound by these,” he is expected to say.
The speech will be made at the end of his and Kate’s second day in Ireland where they will carry out five engagements in Dublin, County Meath, and County Kildare. Yesterday, they honored their hosts by attending a wreath-laying ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance and bowing their heads in tribute to those who lost their lives. They also greeted Irish President Michael D Higgins and the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and concluded the day with a reception at the Guinness Storehouse bar overlooking the city.
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