McGuinness to meet Queen on Northern Ireland visit

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has confirmed that he will meet Queen Elizabeth when she visits Northern Ireland in less than two weeks' time.

Mr McGuinness said tonight that “despite current difficulties” he was “determined to provide positive forward thinking political leadership”.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip will be in Northern Ireland for a series of engagements from June 23rd to 25th, the details of which have not yet been disclosed.

Two years ago this month, the former IRA leader met Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in Belfast for the first time. In April, Mr McGuinness joined in toasting the British monarch at a banquet in Windsor Castle during President Michael D Higgins’s state visit to Britain.

The visit is coming ahead of the height of the marching season and as some tentative steps are taken to try to get agreement on the Haass proposals on parades, past and flags.

“In my capacity as Deputy First Minister and as a representative of all our people I will be meeting with Queen Elizabeth,” said Mr McGuinness tonight.

“The visit by Queen Elizabeth is an opportunity to demonstrate mutual respect and to further build on the process of reconciliation,” he added.