In pictures: William and Kate in Ireland

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived in Dublin on Tuesday afternoon for their first official visit to the Republic of Ireland.

The royal couple spent the first day of their three-day visit meeting politicians and dignitaries, including Irish President Michael D Higgins and Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar.

There was also a photo-bombing dog and a diplomatic sip of the black stuff.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge paid tribute to their hosts by featuring Ireland's national colour green in their outfits

The royal couple, who flew to Dublin Airport on a commercial Aer Lingus flight, were welcomed by dignitaries and sunshine

One of President Michael D Higgins's Bernese mountain dogs decided to crash the official photos

Bród stole the show on Tuesday, bounding up to the royal guests as they stepped outside

In addition to signing the obligatory visitors' book, the duke and duchess also went for a tete-a-tete in the president's private office before sitting down for afternoon tea

They also rang "the peace bell" during their visit to Áras an Uachtaráin - the president's official residence

The couple called for a "brighter future" in a handwritten note left with a wreath laid at Dublin's Garden of Remembrance

The duke and duchess also met Ireland's caretaker Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar and his partner Matthew Barrett

Judging by this picture, the duchess had a diplomatic sip of the black stuff during their evening reception in the Guinness Storehouse

Guests were from the worlds of sport, film, television and the armed forces, and it was Irish international rugby player Sene Naoupu who passed the pints