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Sunday 26 March 2023 Dublin: 7°C
# the happy prince
What gifts did Michael D present the Royal Family with, on our behalf?
What do you get for the family that has everything? Well, here’s what…

File pic, we're afraid... This is Charles examining a jar of honey presented to him in Newcastle in 2010. [Anna Gowthorpe/PA Archive/PA Images]

PRINCE CHARLES AND Camilla probably did best this week, in terms State visit presents.

On top of all the rest of the excitement, it was also their wedding anniversary. A lesser head-of-state might have merely handed over single gift each, muttering ‘that’s for the visit and the anniversary, by the way’.

Not our Michael D, though.

Here’s a run-down on what’s been presented to the royals, to mark the President’s historic trip…

  • For the Duke of Edinburgh: A silver frame, containing a tree-sponsorship cert from the Tree Council of Ireland, a book ‘The Heritage Trees of Ireland’, and a tweed suit from Magee. 
  • For the Prince of Wales: A fly-fishing frame, and two books: ‘Oilean’ (a guide to the Irish islands) and ‘If Ever You Go’ (a map of Dublin, in poetry and song).
  • For the Duchess of Cornwall: A Foxford rug in Mayo Tartan, woven in Foxford; and an Irish handcrafted glass vase.
  • For Charles and Camilla, for their ninth anniversary: A Galway Crystal decanter and glass set, with a personal note from the President.
  • For Mia Tyndall (daughter of Zara Philips): ‘Stories for Children’ by Oscar Wilde with illustrations by Charles Robinson; and ‘Irish Legends for Children’ retold by Yvonne Carroll.
  • For Prince George (William and Kate’s son): ‘The Happy Prince’ by Oscar Wilde. A special 1920 edition of the children’s classic, reset and published by arrangement with David Nutt. With illustrations by Charles Robinson.

Higgins’ gift to the Queen was announced earlier this week — a table size bronze bust of the steeplechaser Arkle, created by sculptor Emma McDermott.  

Read: Don’t worry, Michael D’s not lost… The State visit party was SUPPOSED to end up on a farm

Read:  ‘They’ve been preparing freshly baked biscuits’: When Michael D met Boris Johnson (video)>

Read:  ‘I’m so pleased to be here’: President Higgins meets David Cameron at Downing Street>

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