Tánaiste Simon Coveney has welcomed Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla to a St Patrick's dinner at the Irish embassy in London.
The event is seen as a celebration of Ireland-UK relations.
Hosted by Ireland's ambassador to the UK, Adrian O'Neill, the dinner marks the start of the St Patrick's Day programme in Britain.
The Government has said it also celebrates the "close ties and enduring friendship" between Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Speaking at the dinner, Mr Coveney said: "This evening is about celebrating the extraordinarily vibrant and overwhelmingly positive connections that we now enjoy together - of culture and art, of economics and commerce, of friendship and family.
"In the visits by Their Royal Highnesses to the island of Ireland in recent years, they have created opportunities to strengthen that friendship and celebrate the many people who work for their communities and strive to build lasting relationships North and South, East and West."
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall are attending a reception and dinner this evening at the Embassy of Ireland to celebrate UK-Irish relations as we approach St Patrick’s Day. pic.twitter.com/CggPvMEl3C
— The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) March 6, 2019
Ambassador O'Neill said: "We were delighted that Their Royal Highnesses visited the embassy this evening for this very special occasion in the company of other guests from the worlds of politics, culture, business, media and the Irish community where the Irish and British contribute so much to each other's lives as neighbours and friends."
Following the dinner, guests enjoyed a performance from Irish singer Eimear Quinn, cellist and piper Neil Martin and harpist Seána Davey.
There was also poetry by Derek Mahon read by actor Adrian Dunbar.
Prince Charles and Camilla have visited 15 counties on the island of Ireland since 2014.
Main image: Prince Charles and Camilla attend a reception at Victoria Gallery and Museum, University of Liverpool, to celebrate his and Irish President Michael D Higgins' joint patronage of the Liverpool Institute of Irish Studies | Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire/PA Images
