THE Queen may not be the most devoted fan of the world’s biggest boy band but for a couple of hours tonight at Buckingham Palace singer Niall Horan was part of One’s Direction.
Horan, 20, a teenage heartthrob, was invited to greet the 87-year-old monarch when he joined 300 members of the Irish community at a palace reception ahead of an historic first State visit by their country’s president to Britain. They have met before but it was still a thrill for the County Westmeath-born singer. "I might ask her if she wants to come to a show", he joked. "It's an absolute honour to be here with two great countries coming together. I couldn't believe it when I got the invitation. To have met Her Majesty again was a great experience."
His country’s President Michael D Higgins will be in the UK in April following the Queen's visit to the Irish Republic three years ago, when she became the first British monarch to visit the country.
The Queen and Prince Philip, along with Princess Anne, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and the Duke of Kent, chatted with Irish guests from the world of sport, business, politics, the arts, and community work, who have all made a positive contribution to Britain. Other guests included X-Factor judge Louis Walsh, fashion designer Orla Kiely, racehorse trainer Jonjo O'Neill and former Formula One racing boss Eddie Jordan. Reality TV judge Walsh said the Queen told him she would love to come back and visit his country again.
"We talked about her visit to Ireland, she said she had a wonderful time and that she'd love to come back again. "She said she thought she picked the perfect moment to come while Mary McAleese was still president. "She is an amazing woman and she proved that on her visit. Everybody loves her. "I didn't ask if she watches The X Factor but I think she might be watching Strictly Come Dancing," he said.
