King Charles III is to make an official state visit to Ireland in early June, we can reveal.
Talks have begun with the Government on his schedule and where he will visit with Queen Camilla.
It is understood the Gardai have been informed to prepare for his arrival and many members will be needed to work overtime to cover the trip during the first or second week in June.
READ MORE - Two men arrested over July 2020 shooting of Thomas McCarthy in Ballyfermot, Dublin
The security operation will not be as big as last week's visit by President Joe Biden but is still regarded as "substantial."
"Both the British Embassy in Dublin and Buckingham Palace are heavily involved in making the arrangements.
Charles is due to be crowned at Westminster Abbey on May 6 next and the Coronation will be shown live on television worldwide. The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Presient Michael D Higgins are due to attend the ceremony.
The new Monarch has a great love for Ireland and wanted to make it his first big trip since he succeeded his late mother Queen Elizabeth II who died on September 8 last year in Balmoral Castle, Scotland at 96 years of age.
He and Camilla have made many visits here, both public and private, during his long years as the Prince of Wales. He has previously stayed at Delphi Lodge in Connemara and Waterford Castle.
Government sources said King Charles always received a warm welcome and enjoyed his time in the Republic any time he visited.
A Government insider said: "The planning for the visit is now underway and will be finalised in the coming weeks. The Gardai have been fully informed."
A Garda source said: "We understand that the new King will be here either on the first or second week in June. We don't know how long he will be here for yet."
The Queen got a fantastic welcome around the country when she came on a four-day state visit to Ireland along with her late husband the Duke of Edinburgh in May 2011.
She visited the Rock of Cashel and the English market in Cork city where she did a meet and greet walk on the Grand Parade.
But the highlight of her visit was her emotional speech at the state dinner in Dublin Castle when to the amazement of the then President Mary McAleese she spoke words of Irish .
The State visit fulfilled a lifelong dream the late Queen had to visit the south of Ireland. She had made many trips to Belfast during her long and distinguished reign.
READ NEXT:
- Mary Lou McDonald blasts "false and deeply offensive" Regency comments: 'I have never met Gerard Hutch'
- Ireland to record hottest day of the year so far this week amid glorious Met Eireann forecast
- Wild scenes at Crucible as protesters storm snooker tables during World Championships
- House next to where Sophie Toscan Du Plantier was murdered for sale for second time in two years
- Listeners in tears over Christy Dignam's 'heartbreaking' interview with Ryan Tubridy
Get news updates direct to your inbox by signing up to our daily newsletter here
