Queen shakes Martin McGuinness' hand in Belfast
In an historic encounter, the Queen has shaken the hand of Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness.
Signs of peace: Handshakes we thought we would never see
Today's handshake between the Queen and former IRA commander Martin McGuinness is a historic gesture of peace. Here are some others.
Queen to shake hands with Martin McGuinness
The hands of history? The Queen and former IRA Commander Martin McGuinness will make a remarkable gesture for peace today.
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McGuinness discussed Queen's loss
Sinn Fein chief Martin McGuinness told the Queen that he recognised she suffered loss in the Northern Ireland Troubles.
The Stormont Deputy First Minister revealed that he addressed the 1979 IRA murder of her cousin Earl Mountbatten when he met her privately in Belfast last Wednesday.
The former terror commander said the Queen was very gracious about what he said.
Mr McGuinness said he would not detail exactly what he said during the eight minute discussion in the Lyric Theatre, which the Duke of Edinburgh also attended, or how the Queen responded.
Huge crowds greet The Queen at Stormont
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Queen and Duke met by cheering crowds in Stormont
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were met by cheering crowds as they travelled in an open-top car to The Parliament Buildings in Stormont, as part of her visit to Northern Ireland.
Most people are happy after McGuinness handshake
by Tim Ewart - Royal CorrespondentTwenty thousand people have gathered for a garden party with the Queen this afternoon and I think if we spoke to them, then the overwhelming majority are happy with what happened; welcome that handshake and see it as good step for the future of this country.
Having said that there are others who don't, dissident Republicans who feel that Martin McGuinness has sold out, and that Sinn Fein is doing this purely for political purposes.
There are also families who have suffered at the hands of the IRA. People who have lost husbands and wives, sons and daughters, who find it very uncomfortable to see a former commander of the IRA shaking hands with the British Queen.
McGuinness: 'Meeting the Queen was very nice'
Martin McGuinness has described meeting the Queen as, "very nice."
Martin McGuinness: 'I'm still a Republican'
Martin McGuinness has said that, "it was nice" to meet the Queen and that the meeting went, "very well" as he left the Lyric Theatre this afternoon.
He also added, "I'm still a Republican."
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Paterson: 'It's about a shared future, not a shored-out future'
Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Paterson met Mr McGuinness this morning and added that he was relaxed.
He said the Deputy First Minister greeted the Queen in Irish and their meeting was cordial.
It had obviously gone very well.This will move Northern Ireland on to a whole new plane. After all the trauma of Northern Ireland, everyone is looking forward.It is about a shared future, not a shared-out future.
None of this could have happened a few years ago so it is all looking to the future.
He said it was absolutely appropriate that when the Queen visits parts of the UK, she meets local politicians, democratically elected, pursuing their democratic political goals by peaceful means.
Mr Paterson added that it built on the success of the Queen's visit to the Republic of Ireland last year.
Crowds gather ahead of Queen's Stormont visit
The Queen is expected to visit Stormont later today.
McGuinness: 'Queen's visit is powerful signal that peace-building requires leadership'
It is understood that during the VIPs' initial private meeting, Mr McGuinness welcomed both the Queen and President Higgins in Irish.
The Deputy First Minister is said to have commented briefly on the Queen's visit to Dublin last year, and in particular her comments regarding all the victims of the conflict.
A Sinn Fein spokesman said: "He emphasised the need to acknowledge the pain of all victims of the conflict and their families."
Mr McGuinness is said to have spoken to the Queen of the significance of her visit, and of the need for it to be built upon in the time ahead.
Sinn Fein said Mr McGuinness told the Queen that their meeting was a "powerful signal that peace-building requires leadership".
The Deputy First Minister also praised the role of the President in today's encounter, and welcomed that the engagement took place at an event celebrating culture across Ireland.
Republican Network for Unity: 'McGuinness is playing with words'
Ciaran Cunningham from the Republican Network for Unity has spoken to ITV News' Royal Correspondent Tim Ewart about the handshake between Martin McGuinness and the Queen.
Mr Cunningham said that, "Martin McGuinness is playing with words," when he says he is still a republican.
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