The heads of the Belgian royal family today began a three-day state visit to Ireland.
King Albert II and Queen Paola were welcomed to the country by President Mary McAleese at a tree-planting ceremony at Arás an Uachtarain.
King Albert II and Queen Paola of Belgium have begun their state visit to Ireland
The Belgian head of state later met Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at Iveagh House, while his wife visited the National Gallery.
King Albert was invited to Leinster House, and Queen Paola dropped called into St Ciaran's national school in Hartstown, West Dublin.
President McAleese and Dr Martin McAleese will tonight host a state dinner for the couple.
Tomorrow the king and queen will visit the Spire, the GPO, Trinity College, Fitzwilliam Square and Powerscourt House and Gardens in Co Wicklow..
On Wednesday, the royals will visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in Co Clare before journeying on to the Cliffs of Moher on the Atlantic coast.
They will leave the country from Shannon airport in the afternoon.