Prince Charles' Royal tribute to 1916 combatants

Prince Charles said it was important to honour the memory of “men and women from all sides whose sacrifice shaped our shared history”.

The future king had earlier laid a wreath at a memorial in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin in memory of all those who died in the 1916 rebellion.

He and his wife Camilla took part in a ceremony at the Necrology Wall, which bears the names of all who died in the rebellion - Irish and British, military, police and civilian.

They also took part in a ceremony at a war memorial where Victoria Cross paving stones were unveiled in memory of four Irish-born soldiers - Corporal John Cunningham, Company Sergeant Major Robert Hill Hanna, Lieutenant Frederick Maurice Watson Harvey and Private Michael James O’Rourke.

Speaking at the end of their four-day visit to the island of Ireland, Charles said his most memorable moment was joining the acts of remembrance.

He said at an event in the British ambassador’s Dublin residence: “My wife and I were deeply moved to join acts of remembrance.

“It’s so very important we are able to come together to honour the memory of so many men and women from all sides whose sacrifice shaped our shared history,”

Charles also shared his condolences with Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams over the death of Martin McGuinness during a reception hosted by the ambassador.

The veteran Irish republican was among 200 guests to greet the prince and Camilla as they arrived at Glencairn House, the official residence of ambassador Robin Barnett.

It is almost 41 years since IRA bombers murdered British ambassador Christopher Ewart-Biggs at the residence.

The Prince and the Sinn Fein president shook hands and shared a joke about their dates of birth. Charles said that they were both born in the same year - 1948 - but joked that the Sinn Fein leader was older.

The Prince also met Irish Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, on the final day of his visit in a private meeting in government buildings, Dublin.

As the future king signed his name in the visitors’ book, he joked: “This is just to prove I can write”.