This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18607911#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Queen and Martin McGuinness shake hands | Queen and Martin McGuinness shake hands |
(40 minutes later) | |
The Queen and former IRA commander Martin McGuinness have shaken hands for the first time. | The Queen and former IRA commander Martin McGuinness have shaken hands for the first time. |
The meeting between the monarch and Northern Ireland's deputy first minister took place at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast on Wednesday. | The meeting between the monarch and Northern Ireland's deputy first minister took place at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast on Wednesday. |
It happened at an event organised by a charity, Co-Operation Ireland, which works to bring communities together. | It happened at an event organised by a charity, Co-Operation Ireland, which works to bring communities together. |
They shook hands at a private meeting and later shook hands in public. | They shook hands at a private meeting and later shook hands in public. |
The private meeting, in a room at the theatre, involved a group of seven people, including Irish President Michael D Higgins and Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson. | The private meeting, in a room at the theatre, involved a group of seven people, including Irish President Michael D Higgins and Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson. |
It is understood Mr McGuinness welcomed both the Queen and the Irish president in Irish. | It is understood Mr McGuinness welcomed both the Queen and the Irish president in Irish. |
The deputy first minister is said to have commented on the Queen's visit to Dublin last year, and in particular her comments regarding all the victims of the Troubles. | The deputy first minister is said to have commented on the Queen's visit to Dublin last year, and in particular her comments regarding all the victims of the Troubles. |
A Sinn Fein spokesman said: "He emphasised the need to acknowledge the pain of all victims of the conflict and their families." | A Sinn Fein spokesman said: "He emphasised the need to acknowledge the pain of all victims of the conflict and their families." |
Sinn Fein said Mr McGuinness told the Queen that their meeting was a "powerful signal that peace-building requires leadership". | Sinn Fein said Mr McGuinness told the Queen that their meeting was a "powerful signal that peace-building requires leadership". |
Later, as the Queen left to continue her Diamond Jubilee tour of Northern Ireland, the pair shook hands again, this time in public. | Later, as the Queen left to continue her Diamond Jubilee tour of Northern Ireland, the pair shook hands again, this time in public. |
As they shook hands for a second time, Mr McGuinness wished the Queen well in Irish, which translates: "Goodbye and God bless." | As they shook hands for a second time, Mr McGuinness wished the Queen well in Irish, which translates: "Goodbye and God bless." |
The BBC's royal correspondent Peter Hunt said: "Asked how it was to meet Queen, Martin McGuinness replied 'very nice'". | The BBC's royal correspondent Peter Hunt said: "Asked how it was to meet Queen, Martin McGuinness replied 'very nice'". |
Not only did the Queen and Martin McGuinness shake hands, they wore a matching colour. | Not only did the Queen and Martin McGuinness shake hands, they wore a matching colour. |
Needless to say it was green. It may be a trivial point, but it spoke volumes. | Needless to say it was green. It may be a trivial point, but it spoke volumes. |
The image will help Sinn Fein reach out to voters, previously reluctant to support a party linked to the IRA. | The image will help Sinn Fein reach out to voters, previously reluctant to support a party linked to the IRA. |
But the picture could lose them a small number of party members for whom a meeting with the British head of state is a republican step too far. | But the picture could lose them a small number of party members for whom a meeting with the British head of state is a republican step too far. |
As for the Queen, it will not be the favourite moment of her 60-year reign, but it is certainly one of the most significant. | As for the Queen, it will not be the favourite moment of her 60-year reign, but it is certainly one of the most significant. |
The main event had been billed as one to celebrate the role of the arts in contributing to reconciliation and peace-building and not as part of the Jubilee celebrations. | |
During the event, the Queen was presented with a gift of Belleek pottery to mark her Diamond Jubilee. | |
President Higgins said he and his wife, Sabina, had been delighted "to have the opportunity for a brief but very warm meeting" with the Queen. | President Higgins said he and his wife, Sabina, had been delighted "to have the opportunity for a brief but very warm meeting" with the Queen. |
He said it marked "another important step on the journey to reconciliation on this island". | He said it marked "another important step on the journey to reconciliation on this island". |
The prime minister's official spokesman said the Queen's visit to the Republic of Ireland last year had "taken relations between the two countries to a new level". | The prime minister's official spokesman said the Queen's visit to the Republic of Ireland last year had "taken relations between the two countries to a new level". |
The spokesperson added: "We think it is right that the Queen should meet representatives from all parts of the community." | The spokesperson added: "We think it is right that the Queen should meet representatives from all parts of the community." |
Those present at the Lyric event included the pianist Barry Douglas, poet Michael Longley and actors Adrian Dunbar and Conleth Hill. | Those present at the Lyric event included the pianist Barry Douglas, poet Michael Longley and actors Adrian Dunbar and Conleth Hill. |
BBC Northern Ireland's political editor Mark Devenport said the occasion had been specifically designed to meet Sinn Fein's sensitivities and to ensure that a ground-breaking encounter could take place. | BBC Northern Ireland's political editor Mark Devenport said the occasion had been specifically designed to meet Sinn Fein's sensitivities and to ensure that a ground-breaking encounter could take place. |
"It is being stressed the arts event has a cross-border dimension and is not part of the Jubilee celebrations," he said. | "It is being stressed the arts event has a cross-border dimension and is not part of the Jubilee celebrations," he said. |
"That is in contrast to the huge party planned for Stormont, which is a celebration of the Queen's 60-year reign organised by the Northern Ireland Office." | "That is in contrast to the huge party planned for Stormont, which is a celebration of the Queen's 60-year reign organised by the Northern Ireland Office." |
The Queen and Prince Philip later toured Titanic Belfast, a new visitors' centre located where the ship was built. She has also unveiled a plaque to commemorate the visit. | |
About 20,000 people are expected to attend the event at Stormont later. | About 20,000 people are expected to attend the event at Stormont later. |
|
|
Are you hoping to see the Queen during her Northern Ireland tour? You can share your thoughts with us using the form below. | Are you hoping to see the Queen during her Northern Ireland tour? You can share your thoughts with us using the form below. |