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| King Charles coronation: Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill accepts invite | King Charles coronation: Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill accepts invite |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| Alex Maskey and Michelle O'Neill previously met the King at Hillsborough Castle after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II | Alex Maskey and Michelle O'Neill previously met the King at Hillsborough Castle after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II |
| Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O'Neill has accepted an invitation to attend the King's coronation. | Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O'Neill has accepted an invitation to attend the King's coronation. |
| She will attend along with party colleague Alex Maskey, who is the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly. | She will attend along with party colleague Alex Maskey, who is the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly. |
| Ms O'Neill said we are living "in a great time of change... a time to respect our differing and equally legitimate aspirations". | Ms O'Neill said we are living "in a great time of change... a time to respect our differing and equally legitimate aspirations". |
| King Charles III's coronation will take place in London on 6 May. | King Charles III's coronation will take place in London on 6 May. |
| "I am an Irish Republican. I also recognise there are many people on our island for whom the coronation is a hugely important occasion," Ms O'Neill added, saying she was committed to "building good relations between the people of these islands". | "I am an Irish Republican. I also recognise there are many people on our island for whom the coronation is a hugely important occasion," Ms O'Neill added, saying she was committed to "building good relations between the people of these islands". |
| The republican party, which was the political wing of the Provisional IRA during the Troubles, has traditionally objected to the monarchy, particularly in relation to its role in Northern Ireland. | The republican party, which was the political wing of the Provisional IRA during the Troubles, has traditionally objected to the monarchy, particularly in relation to its role in Northern Ireland. |
| Sinn Féin MPs, for example, do not take their seats in Westminster partly because they are required to take an oath of allegiance to the head of the Royal Family. | Sinn Féin MPs, for example, do not take their seats in Westminster partly because they are required to take an oath of allegiance to the head of the Royal Family. |
| However, the party's relationship to the monarchy changed dramatically in 2012 when then-leader Martin McGuinness famously shook the Queen's hand. | However, the party's relationship to the monarchy changed dramatically in 2012 when then-leader Martin McGuinness famously shook the Queen's hand. |
| The four-second handshake between the former IRA leader and the British monarch appeared to usher in a new era | |
| Sinn Féin became the biggest party at the Northern Ireland Assembly after an election last May, meaning Ms O'Neill is entitled to be first minister. | Sinn Féin became the biggest party at the Northern Ireland Assembly after an election last May, meaning Ms O'Neill is entitled to be first minister. |
| But the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP)'s refusal to join an executive prevented her from doing so. | But the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP)'s refusal to join an executive prevented her from doing so. |
| Who are Sinn Féin and what do they stand for? | Who are Sinn Féin and what do they stand for? |
| Four-second handshake seen by world | |
| Party colleague Alex Maskey was invited in his capacity as Speaker of the assembly and said he is pleased to attend the event. | Party colleague Alex Maskey was invited in his capacity as Speaker of the assembly and said he is pleased to attend the event. |
| He confirmed his attendance in a letter sent to assembly members at Stormont, telling them: "It has always been important for me, or indeed any Speaker, to conduct my responsibilities to represent the assembly in a way that is inclusive and respectful of all the identities and political traditions within it." | He confirmed his attendance in a letter sent to assembly members at Stormont, telling them: "It has always been important for me, or indeed any Speaker, to conduct my responsibilities to represent the assembly in a way that is inclusive and respectful of all the identities and political traditions within it." |
| The assembly will also be formally represented at the coronation by chief executive Lesley Hogg. | The assembly will also be formally represented at the coronation by chief executive Lesley Hogg. |
| The King will be crowned alongside Camilla, the Queen Consort, on 6 May | The King will be crowned alongside Camilla, the Queen Consort, on 6 May |
| During the coronation ceremony, the King will be crowned alongside Camilla, the Queen Consort. | During the coronation ceremony, the King will be crowned alongside Camilla, the Queen Consort. |
| It is a state occasion, which means the government controls the guest list. | It is a state occasion, which means the government controls the guest list. |
| In addition to the Royal Family, those invited will include the prime minister, representatives from the Houses of Parliament, heads of state, and other royals from around the world. | In addition to the Royal Family, those invited will include the prime minister, representatives from the Houses of Parliament, heads of state, and other royals from around the world. |
| Eight hundred and fifty community representatives have been invited to the ceremony in recognition of their charitable contributions. | Eight hundred and fifty community representatives have been invited to the ceremony in recognition of their charitable contributions. |
| How the Coronation will unfold | |
| Who is attending the coronation - and who isn't? | |
| Your guide to the King's coronation weekend | |
| 360° video: Explore inside Westminster Abbey | |
| DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson will also attend the coronation. | DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson will also attend the coronation. |
| Irish president Michael D Higgins is also expected to be there, and become the first Irish head of state to attend the coronation of a British monarch. | Irish president Michael D Higgins is also expected to be there, and become the first Irish head of state to attend the coronation of a British monarch. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Sinn Féin | Sinn Féin |
| Coronation of King Charles III | Coronation of King Charles III |
| Michelle O'Neill | Michelle O'Neill |
| Northern Ireland Assembly | Northern Ireland Assembly |
| King Charles III | King Charles III |
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