The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge embarked on a three-day tour of Ireland on Tuesday, taking in meetings with the President, the Taoiseach and maybe even a taste of Guinness in what is the first royal overseas visit since Brexit.

The whistle-stop tour of Dublin, Co Meath, Co Kildare and Galway marks the couple's first visit to the country. Its timing means every effort will be made to harness their soft diplomatic power as they promote the British brand.

Coming in the wake of a turbulent few months for both the UK and the Royal Family, the Cambridges will be aiming to highlight the strong links between the UK and its closest neighbour while also proving that it is business as usual for the family following the high-profile exit from the royal stage of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The visit has been billed by Kensington Palace as an opportunity to "focus on the relationship between the two countries and build on the theme of remembrance and reconciliation".

It comes eight years after the Queen made a historic visit to Ireland, the first British monarch to travel there in 100 years and the first since the nation gained independence from Britain.

In one of the most important and symbolic speeches of her reign, she acknowledged in May 2011 the "sad and regrettable" mistakes of Britain's troubled relationship with Ireland and referenced the murder of the Duke of Edinburgh's uncle, Earl Mountbatten, by the IRA as she spoke of the "heartache, turbulence and loss" of the past century.

The Queen spoke in Gaelic, visited Croke Park stadium – where British forces shot dead 14 spectators at a Gaelic football match in 1920 – and bowed her head at Dublin's Garden of Remembrance to pay tribute to the rebels who rose up against British rule in 1916.

On Tuesday, her grandson and his wife will follow in her footsteps, visiting the Garden of Remembrance for a commemorative ceremony in which they will lay a wreath.

They will also meet Michael D Higgins, the President, at his residence Aras an Uachtarain, hold an official meeting with Leo Varadkar, the outgoing Taoiseach, and attend a reception hosted by Robin Barnett, the British Ambassador, at the Guinness Storehouse's Gravity Bar.

The brief tour is being made amid tight security, with the details of each day's engagements only being released hours in advance.

Specialist gardai, including an armed support unit, have been deployed to patrol and secure areas on the itinerary for several days.

It follows a visit to Ireland by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex last year. The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have made five visits over the past five years.

In a statement, Kensington Palace said: "During the three-day tour, the duke and duchess will learn about local organisations working to support and empower young people and projects which provide opportunities to help them develop important life skills.

"Their Royal Highnesses will also hear more about Ireland's conservation initiatives and efforts to protect its environment, with a particular focus on sustainable farming and marine conservation.

"2020 will see Galway host the European Capital of Culture on behalf of Ireland, a showcase of events highlighting the richness and diversity of Irish culture, art and sport.

"During their time in Galway, the duke and duchess will have the opportunity to experience a taste of modern and traditional Irish culture for themselves."