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Final day of Irish president's state visit to UK Final day of Irish president's state visit to UK
(about 1 hour later)
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have said goodbye to Irish President Michael D Higgins as his state visit to the UK draws to a close.The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have said goodbye to Irish President Michael D Higgins as his state visit to the UK draws to a close.
Over the past four days, Mr Higgins has been welcomed as a guest of honour at the UK's most prestigious royal residences and seats of government.Over the past four days, Mr Higgins has been welcomed as a guest of honour at the UK's most prestigious royal residences and seats of government.
The Queen hosted two banquets for her Irish guest at Windsor Castle and he addressed both Houses of Parliament.The Queen hosted two banquets for her Irish guest at Windsor Castle and he addressed both Houses of Parliament.
The visit was aimed at celebrating and strengthening British and Irish links.The visit was aimed at celebrating and strengthening British and Irish links.
It followed the Queen's first state visit to the Republic of Ireland in 2011, which was widely hailed as a diplomatic triumph and a milestone in Anglo-Irish relations.It followed the Queen's first state visit to the Republic of Ireland in 2011, which was widely hailed as a diplomatic triumph and a milestone in Anglo-Irish relations.
Mr Higgins and his wife Sabina left Windsor Castle on Friday morning to fulfil their final engagements.Mr Higgins and his wife Sabina left Windsor Castle on Friday morning to fulfil their final engagements.
They travelled to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare and the home of the Royal Shakespeare Company. They travelled to Stratford-upon-Avon to visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare and the home of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC).
Return home Shared dialogue
In addition to his political career, Mr Higgins is a well-known poet and author, while his wife is an actress.In addition to his political career, Mr Higgins is a well-known poet and author, while his wife is an actress.
President Higgins made a speech about the English language, its role in Ireland, and about the shared dialogue between two islands.President Higgins made a speech about the English language, its role in Ireland, and about the shared dialogue between two islands.
He said: "It is the business of living souls to breathe life into words, and I have no doubt but that our long conversation in a shared language will continue into the far future to breathe new life, and the lightning of our different imaginations, into a common human purpose."He said: "It is the business of living souls to breathe life into words, and I have no doubt but that our long conversation in a shared language will continue into the far future to breathe new life, and the lightning of our different imaginations, into a common human purpose."
After the Stratford-upon-Avon engagement, Mr and Mrs Higgins attended a reception for members of the Irish community in Coventry. Mr Higgins was later presented with The Complete Works of Shakespeare, signed by the acting company, and he gifted the RSC a copy of The Book of Kells.
They are due to return home to Dublin on Friday afternoon. After the Stratford-upon-Avon engagement, Mr and Mrs Higgins travelled to Coventry for a tour of its current cathedral and the ruins of the old building that was bombed during World War II.
During his tour, Mr Higgins met Prime Minister David Cameron at Downing Street and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg at Buckingham Palace. They also attended a reception for members of the Irish community at St Mary's Guildhall in the city.
The president and his wife are due to return home to Dublin on Friday afternoon.
During his four-day tour, Mr Higgins met Prime Minister David Cameron at Downing Street and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg at Buckingham Palace.
'Gracious welcome'
He also attended several events marking the contribution of the Irish community to public life in Britain.He also attended several events marking the contribution of the Irish community to public life in Britain.
They included business leaders, charity workers and NHS staff.They included business leaders, charity workers and NHS staff.
On Thursday evening, the president attended a concert celebrating Irish music and culture at London's Royal Albert Hall.On Thursday evening, the president attended a concert celebrating Irish music and culture at London's Royal Albert Hall.
At the event, Mr Higgins thanked the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh for their "gracious welcome and warm hospitality" throughout his UK trip.At the event, Mr Higgins thanked the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh for their "gracious welcome and warm hospitality" throughout his UK trip.
Toast
He said the preparation they had made for his state visit was "reflective of the true and deep friendship that now exists between Ireland and the United Kingdom".He said the preparation they had made for his state visit was "reflective of the true and deep friendship that now exists between Ireland and the United Kingdom".
The four-day diplomatic mission will also be remembered for the participation of Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness, who was invited to Windsor Castle twice this week.The four-day diplomatic mission will also be remembered for the participation of Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness, who was invited to Windsor Castle twice this week.
The former IRA leader is now the deputy first minister of Northern Ireland.The former IRA leader is now the deputy first minister of Northern Ireland.
On Tuesday night, he joined in a toast to the Queen during a state banquet.On Tuesday night, he joined in a toast to the Queen during a state banquet.
Mr McGuinness stood for the toast, proposed by Irish President Michael D Higgins, as an orchestra played God Save The Queen.Mr McGuinness stood for the toast, proposed by Irish President Michael D Higgins, as an orchestra played God Save The Queen.
The Sinn Féin MLA said his participation in the royal reception was in aid of "conflict resolution and reconciliation".The Sinn Féin MLA said his participation in the royal reception was in aid of "conflict resolution and reconciliation".