Irish president attends Britain’s State Banquet
Queen Elizabeth II’s speech honored the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins at a State Banquet at Windsor Castle. This is the first time an Irish president has been welcomed to Britain since the republic became independent. A former IRA commander, Martin Guinness, also attended the banquet. The Queen said during her speech that Britain and Ireland shall “no longer allow our past to ensnare our future”.
- Irish President Michael D. Higgins (Left) and Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II (Right) pose for a photograph ahead of a State Banquet during the Irish president’s state visit in Windsor, west of London, on April 8, 2014. Queen Elizabeth II welcomed the Irish president to Britain on Tuesday for the first time since the republic became independent with a banquet also controversially attended by former IRA commander Martin Guinness. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
- Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II (Center) and Irish President Michael D. Higgins (Right) arrive for the State Banquet during the Irish president’s state visit in Windsor, west of London, on April 8, 2014. Queen Elizabeth II welcomed the Irish president to Britain on Tuesday for the first time since the republic became independent with a banquet also controversially attended by former IRA commander Martin Guinness. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
- Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II (Center) delivers an address in her place next to Irish President Michael D Higgins (3rd, Left) and Britain’s Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (2nd, Left) at the State Banquet during the Irish president’s state visit in Windsor, west of London, on April 8, 2014. Queen Elizabeth II welcomed the Irish president to Britain on Tuesday for the first time since the republic became independent with a banquet also controversially attended by former IRA commander Martin Guinness. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
- Guests listen during a speech by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II in honour of the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins at the State Banquet during the Irish president’s state visit in Windsor, west of London, on April 8, 2014. Queen Elizabeth II welcomed the Irish president to Britain on Tuesday for the first time since the republic became independent with a banquet also controversially attended by former IRA commander Martin Guinness. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
- Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II (Center) toasts with Irish President Michael D Higgins after her address at the State Banquet during the Irish president’s state visit in Windsor, west of London, on April 8, 2014. Queen Elizabeth II welcomed the Irish president to Britain on Tuesday for the first time since the republic became independent with a banquet also controversially attended by former IRA commander Martin Guinness. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
- Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II (Right) and Irish President Michael D. Higgins (2nd, Right) talk at the State Banquet during the Irish president’s state visit in Windsor, west of London, on April 8, 2014. Queen Elizabeth II welcomed the Irish president to Britain on Tuesday for the first time since the republic became independent with a banquet also controversially attended by former IRA commander Martin Guinness. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
- Guests listen during a speech by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II in honour of the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins at the State Banquet during the Irish president’s state visit in Windsor, west of London, on April 8, 2014. Queen Elizabeth II welcomed the Irish president to Britain on Tuesday for the first time since the republic became independent with a banquet also controversially attended by former IRA commander Martin Guinness. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
- Guests listen during a speech by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II in honour of the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins at the State Banquet during the Irish president’s state visit in Windsor, west of London, on April 8, 2014. Queen Elizabeth II welcomed the Irish president to Britain on Tuesday for the first time since the republic became independent with a banquet also controversially attended by former IRA commander Martin Guinness. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
- Former British prime minister John Major (Left) attends a State Banquet during the Irish president’s state visit in Windsor, west of London, on April 8, 2014. Queen Elizabeth II welcomed the Irish president to Britain on Tuesday for the first time since the republic became independent with a banquet also controversially attended by former IRA commander Martin Guinness. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)