President’s mind ‘will be on emigrants’ during Windsor Castle visit

President Michael D Higgins said he will think of his two sisters, his childhood neighbours and all the other Irish emigrants “who have come and contributed to Britain” when he is welcomed at Windsor Castle today.

The President — who last night landed in London with his wife, Sabina — said he is “very moved” and “excited” about his four-day State visit, which officially begins today, but “a bit anxious that it all goes well”.

He said he hopes to reflect — when it is all over — on his own father who had fought in the War of Independence.