President Catherine Connolly will begin an official visit to Britain later today where she is due to meet with a number of Irish community groups in London and Leeds.

It is also expected that President Connolly will meet with Britain’s King Charles.

This is President Connolly’s second overseas visit and first trip to Britain since taking office last November.

The three-day visit begins later this morning in London at the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith.

President Connolly is due to meet local community groups and speak about the links between the two countries and the diaspora’s contribution to Britain.

There will also be a reception at the Irish embassy in London, where the President and her husband, Brian McEnrery, will be guests of honour.

A wide range of representatives of the Irish community are expected to attend.

It is understood that President Connolly will also meet Charles at Buckingham Palace.

This is an official visit, not as formal as a State visit.

Amid all the current political flux in Britain, meeting the Irish diaspora here is said to be a key focus of the trip.

Officials have pointed out that the President had committed to engage with Irish communities abroad in her inauguration speech last year.

Later in the week, President Connolly will travel to the north of England to visit Leeds University and the city’s Irish centres.