The King and Queen of Malaysia yesterday began a three-day state visit to Ireland and were welcomed by the President, Mrs McAleese.
The King, His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and the Queen, Her Majesty the Raja Permaisuri Agong, were given a ceremonial welcome by President McAleese at Áras an Uachtaráin yesterday morning. They then took part in the traditional tree-planting ceremony in the grounds of the Áras.
Last night, the royal couple attended a state banquet hosted by President McAleese and Dr Martin McAleese at Dublin Castle.
Today, the King and Queen will be given a civic reception by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mr Dermot Lacey, at the Mansion House. This will be followed by a Government luncheon hosted by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, at Iveagh House. In the afternoon, the royal couple will be escorted to the Newgrange megalithic monument.
Tomorrow, the King and Queen will travel to Cork, where they will attend a reception hosted by the Lord Mayor, Mr John Kelleher, in City Hall. Afterwards, there will be a conferral of honorary degrees on the royal couple by the National University of Ireland, Cork.