Vogue Williams has been announced as the Grand Marshal for this year's National Saint Patrick's Day Parade.
The Dubliner, one of the best-known Irish faces in the UK, has built a career across broadcasting, fashion and entrepreneurship.
Ms Williams said it was a huge honour to take on the role, which allows her to champion Irish creativity and storytelling on a global stage, and in London where she is based.
The theme for this year’s parade is 'Roots’ and explores identity, belonging and shared stories across generations, celebrating where we come from, what grounds us and how we continue to grow together as a community.
"Growing up in Dublin, St Patrick’s Day has always been a special time for me and leading the parade through the city is something I’ve always dreamed of," she said.
She added: "I’m delighted with the theme of roots this year, as I will talk up my home country and what I love about being Irish any time I get the chance.
"It’s going to be such an incredible day of celebration, and I’m really looking forward to sharing it with people from home and from the Irish community around the world."
Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Ray McAdam said Ms Williams "embodies the energy and ambition of a global Ireland."
"Her journey reflects the lived experience of so many of our people at home and abroad. As we celebrate Roots and Ireland’s one shared story, I know she will lead this year’s Parade with warmth, pride and a great sense of occasion."
Vogue excited to bring children to parade
Speaking on RTE's Oliver Callan, Ms Williams said being chosen as Grand Marshal was the "pinnacle of her career".
She said said she did not tell anyone prior to this morning's announcement for fear that it might not happen.
"It's exciting now. I can finally tell people because I didn't want to tell them in case it didn't happen," she said.
"But now it's out there. It's happening. They can't take it back. I'm doing it."
Ms Williams said that the occasion would be "really cool" for her three young children.
"You just never know what they're going to be interested in," she said.
"They were kind of impressed by I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, and they had absolutely no interest in watching me on Gladiator.
"But I think that this is such a spectacle, and they're going to love it so much.
"It'll be their first parade in person, so I'm excited to bring them along," she added.
Millions of euro for the economy
Fáilte Ireland has said it expects Friday 13 March to be the biggest day in terms of passengers arriving into the country.
Orla Carroll, the Director of Product Development at Fáilte Ireland, said the festival provides millions of euro for the economy.
"St Patrick's festival gets about half a million people and it probably gives back to the economy about €140 million," she said.
"In international visitors alone, we know that it gives back way over €100 million, and that is not including domestic people on holiday."
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, said the festival is "iconic to Ireland" and marks the beginning of the traditional tourism season.
"The 2026 Festival programme celebrates Ireland's roots through a rich blend of tradition and contemporary culture, supporting communities, artists and the tourism and hospitality sectors, and delivering important economic benefits for tourism businesses across the city and wider county," he said.
