Irish Visit is a Go!

Monegasque news services and the Foreign Office of the Republic of Ireland have confirmed that HSH Prince Albert II will soon be visiting the Emerald Isle and will be bringing Charlene along with him. Sources say the visit will be held from April 4 to April 6, so just around the corner. Their Serene Highnesses Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace paid an official visit to Ireland in 1961 (where the Irish-American princess was very warmly welcomed in particular) and Prince Albert had planned to visit in 2009 but, other issues came up and that was not possible. This time, however, things are looking good and even the Irish have noted that it doesn't rain until it pours as they have been a while without any foreign heads of state visiting and within the span of about two months they will have His Serene Highness the Prince of Monaco, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Her Majesty the Queen and the President of the United States all stopping by. In other news, embattled Libyan dictator Colonel Qaddafhi reportedly stated that he might like to follow the example of the late King of Egypt and make his home-in-exile the sunny Principality of Monaco! Where would he find enough open space to pitch his famous tent? Of course, we assume this was yet another case of the news services having some fun with us on April Fool's Day -though I don't doubt there is at least one "fool" (and that's being kind) who will be more than willing to believe the story -if you know what I mean ;-) *Update: Very interesting article here at the Irish Times about the upcoming princely visit as well as a discussion with the Sovereign Prince about the situation in Monaco.