'I don't often follow the Queen to the pub': Duke and Duchess of Cambridge retrace Queen's visit to Guinness storehouse
The Duchess of Cambridge has upped the style stakes as she arrived at a reception in Dublin wearing a green sparkly dress by The Vampire’s Wife.
The duchess accompanied her husband on their final engagement of a packed day as they prepared to meet people from across the arts, charity and business sectors at a reception hosted by the British Ambassador to Ireland the Guinness Storehouse.
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She kept up the royal tradition of wearing green while in Ireland, following on from her emerald outfit for the day’s engagements.
The duke wore a blue suit for the evening’s event, and they were greeted by the British Ambassador Robin Barrett who is hosting the party.
The pair chatted to guests including actors Liam Cunningham and Robert Sheenan. Cunningham is best-known for his role as Davos Seaforth in Game of Thrones, and Sheenan for playing Nathan Young in Misfits.
The couple spoke to personalities from the television and film industry.
They also chatted to members of the fire and rescue service, coast guard and ambulance service, as well as Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.
Guinness master brewer Padraig McLaughlin poured Kate and William pints of Guinness, which were then served by Irish international rugby player Sene Naoupu.
Kate and William both took sips of the beverage before William carried his pint to the stage where he made a few remarks.
He said: “In coming to the Guinness Storehouse, we are retracing the footsteps of my grandmother, who was shown how to pour the perfect pint here in 2011.
“Let me tell you, it is not often that I find myself following the Queen into a pub.
“But I am looking forward to testing for myself the theory that Guinness tastes better in Ireland.”
The duke added: “We are very much looking forward to our next two days in Ireland, where I have no doubt we will continue to be impressed by the creativity, warmth and hospitality the Irish people have to offer.”
He closed with a toast of “Sláinte!” - meaning good health.
Dublin-based chef Mark Moriarty created the menu for the evening while singer Loah performed a number of songs.
The Queen visited the attraction in 2011, during her historic tour of Ireland.
The British Embassy tweeted: “The final stop on #RoyalVisitIreland Day 1 is the iconic @homeofguinness for a reception in the Gravity Bar. TRHs entered through the “Queen’s Entrance” - the same door used by HM The Queen during her 2011 visit.”
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The duke and duchess landed in Ireland early on Tuesday afternoon, flying commercial with Aer Lingus into Dublin airport.
Their first engagement was afternoon tea with the president Michael D Higgins, where they talked Brexit, and ate shamrock shortbread and lemon drizzle cake.
After ringing the peace bell, they laid a wreath in a garden of remembrance, which honours those who gave their lives fighting for Irish independence.
They then spent about 30 minutes meeting the outgoing prime minister Leo Varadkar, and his partner Matt Barrett, at the government buildings.
On Wednesday they will continue their engagements in Dublin, and before they leave on Thursday, they will visit Galway, the European City of Culture for 2020.
