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Ireland's president Michael D Higgins meets Queen at Windsor Castle Ireland's president Michael D Higgins meets Queen at Windsor Castle
(35 minutes later)
Ireland's president, Michael D Higgins, has met the Queen on the first ever state visit to the UK by the country's head of state.Ireland's president, Michael D Higgins, has met the Queen on the first ever state visit to the UK by the country's head of state.
Higgins and his wife, Sabina, met the monarch at Windsor Castle three years after the Queen's visit to Dublin heralded the start of a new chapter in the relationship between the two countries.Higgins and his wife, Sabina, met the monarch at Windsor Castle three years after the Queen's visit to Dublin heralded the start of a new chapter in the relationship between the two countries.
Martin McGuinness, Northern Ireland's deputy first minister, is due to attend a banquet hosted by the Queen – a move unthinkable just 10 years ago.Martin McGuinness, Northern Ireland's deputy first minister, is due to attend a banquet hosted by the Queen – a move unthinkable just 10 years ago.
The streets of Windsor were decked out in union flags and Irish tricolours Tuesday morning ahead of the visit. After travelling to the Berkshire town from London with the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, the president and his wife were met by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh. The streets of Windsor were decked out in union flags and Irish tricolours on Tuesday morning ahead of the visit. After travelling to the Berkshire town from London with the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, the president and his wife were met by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.
After the guests were honoured with two gun salutes, the Queen and president entered the castle in the Australian state coach, before Higgins and Prince Philip inspected troops of the Queen's Company Grenadier Guards.After the guests were honoured with two gun salutes, the Queen and president entered the castle in the Australian state coach, before Higgins and Prince Philip inspected troops of the Queen's Company Grenadier Guards.
Andrew Seddon, a major, who is captain of the Queen's Company Grenadier Guards, invited Higgins to inspect the guard of honour, speaking to him in Irish. The Irish president gave a ceremonial red coat to the regiment's mascot, an Irish wolfhound named Domhnall of Shantamon.Andrew Seddon, a major, who is captain of the Queen's Company Grenadier Guards, invited Higgins to inspect the guard of honour, speaking to him in Irish. The Irish president gave a ceremonial red coat to the regiment's mascot, an Irish wolfhound named Domhnall of Shantamon.
Frankie Whelan, 36, an Irish Guardsman sergeant who was born in Ireland and grew up in County Wicklow before his family emigrated to London 25 years ago, was at the castle. He claimed that today was a "proud day for soldiers from the republic", adding: "I'm very proud today for all Irish soldiers, whether they be in the Irish Guards or Irish Regiment."Frankie Whelan, 36, an Irish Guardsman sergeant who was born in Ireland and grew up in County Wicklow before his family emigrated to London 25 years ago, was at the castle. He claimed that today was a "proud day for soldiers from the republic", adding: "I'm very proud today for all Irish soldiers, whether they be in the Irish Guards or Irish Regiment."
The Irish president's four-day trip will include an address to parliament in London. He will focus on the contribution Irish emigrants have made to UK life. The theme of the state visit will be the two countries' shared histories.The Irish president's four-day trip will include an address to parliament in London. He will focus on the contribution Irish emigrants have made to UK life. The theme of the state visit will be the two countries' shared histories.