Prince Philip - Queen visit may be in the offing

PAVING the way, perhaps, for a royal Irish visit by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, her husband, Prince Philip, arrives in Dublin today.

He is a noted champion of youth ventures and today’s ceremony marks the 50th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award as well as the 21st anniversary of Gaisce, the President of Ireland’s award for young people.

In a fitting tribute, President McAleese and Prince Philip will jointly present Gaisce awards to 91 young people from the four corners of Ireland.

As the prince will also drop in on Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at Government Buildings, speculation is rife that a historic visit by Queen Elizabeth may be on the cards.

Not since the 1911 visit of King George V and Queen Mary has a ruling British monarch stepped on Irish soil.

The anticipated visit of Queen Elizabeth would be the first since Ireland became an independent Republic 57 years ago on April 18, 1949.

How times are changing.