Queen Elizabeth to ‘shake hands’ with former IRA commander

In a historic meeting taking place today, the Queen of England will meet with former Irish Republican Army commander Martin McGuinness.

27 June 2012, 12:00am

1 min read

Queen Elizabeth will strive to mark a symbolic end to sectarian conflict between England and Ireland today.

Organised by the charity Co-Operation Ireland, the meeting between Queen Elizabeth and deputy prime minister and former IRA commander Martin McGuinness is being described as "hugely significant".

Taking place today in Belfast, the meeting - and particularly the much touted handshake - will be caught on camera, symbolically marking the end of decades of sectarian conflict between England and Ireland.

The meeting will coincide with the Queen's two-day visit to Ireland as part of her diamond jubilee tour across the UK.

The meeting with McGuinness will follow the Queen's visit to victims of an IRA bombing in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh which occurred 25 years ago, while the royal couple also attended a thanksgiving service at St Macartin's Cathedral in Enniskillen in commemoration of the Queen's 60-year reign.

Significantly, the royal couple then met with around 100 people at St Michael's Catholic Church in Enniskillen - in a move that is believed to be the first time the Queen has visited an Irish Catholic church.