Prince Charles' historic trip to Ireland continues with what will be the most personally moving engagement for him. The Prince of Wales is due to pay his respects at the spot where his beloved great uncle Lord Mountbatten was killed by an IRA bomb in 1979 during a fishing trip.
© Photo: RexThe first day of Prince Charles and Camilla's tour of Ireland
Accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall, the heir to the throne will visit the village of Mullaghmore in County Sligo, after attending a service of peace and reconciliation at St Columba's Church in Drumcliffe. The royal duo will also be joined by Lord Mountbatten's grandson Timothy Knatchbull, who survived the blast.
Louis Mountbatten, Earl of Mountbatten of Burma was related to Charles through Prince Philip - who was his nephew. A war hero and the last Viceroy of India, he holidayed on the coast of Ireland where his wife's family had a house.
Three others died that day - his other grandson Nicholas who was Timothy's twin, his daughter's mother-in-law and their teenage boat boy Paul Maxwell.
© Photo: RexThe royals meet Ireland's President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina
The Prince is also due to meet Paul's mother Mary Hornsey, who lost him when he was just 15. She told the BBC that the royal visit was "extending the hand of forgiveness".
"I feel that he is making a statement in coming," she said. "He is extending the hand of friendship and forgiveness, and I think that is very important. Every little step counts, and when we get more steps it will be even better."
© Photo: RexCharles and Camilla enjoy a traditional welcome at the National University of Ireland
On Tuesday Charles, who has visited Ireland twice before, was praised for shaking hands with Gerry Adams, the president of Sinn Fein. He also met privately for 15 minutes with the Republican politician and his colleagues, including Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, a former IRA commander.
Mr Adams said afterwards that he had welcomed the Prince to Ireland. "I said céad míle fáilte - welcome back."
"(It was) big thing for him [Prince Charles] to do it and a big thing for us".
