Talking of symbols the uniform of the Irish Guards is most easily identified by the groupings of 4 buttons on the tunic reflecting it’s founding as 4th regiment of guards and the shamrock on the collar.

Dave i don’t think anyone is twisting your words as they seem very clear and unambiguous and the response to them speaks clearly also.

If people are so geopolitically unaware about the relatons between these Islands then i somehow very much doubt they will have grasped the meaning and context of William wearing and Irish Guards jacket.

I see Philip Treacy the designer from Galway has his work all over the place today, also great for Ireland.

@Dave – you need to get some perspective, it’s not all about you, there are many other comments on this page apart from yours (which I gave very little attention).

@Dave Finn: noted Dave – I assure you the comment was general and not directed at you.
BTW – its confirmed HRH is wearing the uniform of The Irish Guards.

I hate to go on … But I’m watching live and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh has just emerged also in the uniform of the Irish Guards … This is no accident and the compliment to Ireland ahead of the Queen’s visit here is plain.

In fact many many British people ( And Irish people) don’t even know what the ‘UK’ is !!
They use it in reference to our neighbouring island. Eg. “the people here in the UK and in N Ireland…”

There are also many references to the UK as a country ! Eg. “In countries like the UK and Germany…”

This appears widely on all SKY channels and also on RTE and in many Irish Newspapers.

People will say does it really matter? Well it does .. A Royal Wedding is replete with symbols … If HRH wears the uniform of the Irish Guards on this most special day it is an enormous compliment to this country in the light of the imminent State Visit of his grandmother here. It will be a Royal Salute to ireland and to the Irish Guards Regiment which has many ROI men serving. The 1st Battalion IG has also just returned from a tour of Afghanistan where they distinguished themselves.

I know the British intimately .. I have never met even one who was confused about the independence of the Republic of Ireland or claimed sovereignty over us. The British have long since dealt with losing the Irish War of Independence – I wish I could say the same for ourselves having won it.
If the world seems not to understand our relations with our neighbours it’s not because of what the UK is doing but because of what we have not done but should have done to sell ourselves.
Neither is there anything to be gained by commentators wilful misunderstanding of the use of the title ‘Irish’ in a UK context – the US Army also had an Irish Brigade – I sense some real ‘spin, above.
Finally, there is much that is plain unattractive about virulent rejection of a well intended and genuine compliment.

I was on the bus last week and a woman, sounded like she was from New Zealand, got on the bus and asked the driver where she could get a ferry back to the mainland.

And I trust he told her to go to Rosslare to get either the Cherbourg or Roscoff ferry ?

You know, i was getting all neighbourly and wishing them well in the new spirit of peace etc….and then they go and ensure that viewers across the world will still be totally confused as to whether Ireland is still part of the UK or not. you can be sure the “Irish” jacket will be mentioned a thousand times…

Fair enough Brian, but the UK dont own us. I dont think they can lay claim to Irish this and that! Its an independent country and should be afforded that respect. “Northern Irish” gaurds? OK, if they insist. They’d be doing me more of an honour if they respected our independance, however well meaning their gesture may be. Its not any chest beating republicanism on my part, just a matter of simple recognition that they dont own us anymore. Anyway, best of luck to the couple today.

Both William and Kate, as well as getting a new title a the Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge, they also get an Irish title Prince William will be,The Baron of Carrickfergus, and so he becomes a Bond villain.

I’m wearing matching denim jeans, strawberry colored t shirt. My trainers were bought last year for a bargain at 40 euro. I did feel the need to wear green underwear today to salute the up coming visit by the english queen. I hope you all realize the importance of my gesture.

Sorry Brian, but ive spent a lot of time in England too, and the vast majority were totally confused as to whether we were part of the UK or not!

Thank you Brian. And Le Flaneur, could you kindly take a lead from Brian there and stop twisting my bloody words to suit your little agenda. It seems you cant say anything about this subject with being labelled fearful and ignorant. How dare you. All i said was that this will reinforce the confusion as to the political status of this country. Whether American, British, whatever, i do not believe anyone has the right to utilise the name of another state in the naming of its armed forces.

Well, well. How Róisín Murphy is that?

I hope he got permission from the Guard to wear his uniform. I’d hate to think that them royals were still taking liberties