Even separatists Sinn Fein praise ‘dedicated’ Queen as she celebrates her Platinum Jubilee: Republican leader Michelle O’Neill praises monarch for her ‘significant’ contribution to peace in Northern Ireland
- Michelle O’Neill thanked the Queen for her ‘warmth and unfailing courtesy’
- Wrote of ‘value and respect’ she had for monarch’s contribution to reconciliation
- Significant moment for the party, whose ultimate aim is reunification of Ireland
- Latest Platinum Jubilee news as the Queen celebrates 70 years of service
Irish republicans Sinn Fein have congratulated the Queen on her Platinum Jubilee, hailing her ‘dedicated’ service and ‘significant’ contribution to the peace process in Northern Ireland.
In a letter to the monarch, the party’s vice president and leader in Ulster Michelle O’Neill thanked the Queen for her ‘warmth and unfailing courtesy’ when they had met.
She also wrote of the ‘value and respect’ she had for the monarch’s contribution to reconciliation.
The letter is a significant moment for the party, whose ultimate aim is the reunification of Ireland, and shows how serious it is about political power.
It also has historically close ties to the IRA, among whose victims during the decades of the Troubles was Lord Mountbatten of Burma.
Mountbatten was the Duke of Edinburgh’s uncle and was close to Prince Charles before he was murdered in a bomb attack on his boat in Northern Ireland in 1979.
Former DUP leader Dame Arlene praised Ms O’Neill’s gesture, telling BBC Radio Ulster the Jubilee celebrated three things – the Queen’s public service and dedication; the institution of the monarchy; and the concept of Britishness.
‘I think for republicans, like Michelle O’Neill, like Nicola Sturgeon, they have recognised in Her Majesty the Queen the first of those, the fact that she has given so much service to the country,’ Dame Arlene said.
‘They’re recognising that and I think that that is something that is to be welcomed.’
In a letter to the monarch, the party’s vice president and leader in Ulster Michelle O’Neill thanked the Queen for her ‘warmth and unfailing courtesy’ when they had met.
She also wrote of the ‘value and respect’ she had for the monarch’s contribution to reconciliation. The Queen is pictured meeting former Sinn Fein deputy first minister Martin McGuinness in Belfast in 2012.
The letter is a significant moment for the party, whose ultimate aim is the reunification of Ireland. It also has historically close ties to the IRA, among whose victims during the decades of the Troubles was Lord Mountbatten of Burma (left), the Duke of Edinburgh’s uncle
Former DUP leader Dame Arlene praised Ms O’Neill’s gesture, telling BBC Radio Ulster the Jubilee celebrated three things – the Queen’s public service and dedication; the institution of the monarchy; and the concept of Britishness
Ms O’Neill’s letter to the Queen, which was sent last month and reported by the Belfast Telegraph on Thursday, read: ‘I thought it best to write to you personally as you mark 70 years of dedicated public service to the British people as Monarch.
‘Your Platinum Jubilee is an historic moment, especially for all those from the unionist and British tradition on the island of Ireland, and across these islands whom with great pride and devotion hold you very dear.
‘Personally, I wish to thank you for your warmth and unfailing courtesy on the occasions in which both I and my late colleague, Martin McGuinness, met with you in Belfast in 2012 during your Diamond Jubilee, and thereafter at Windsor Castle during the State Visit of President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins to the UK in 2014.
‘I wish to record the value and respect I place on the significant contribution you have made to the advancement of peace and reconciliation between the different traditions on our island, and between our two islands during those years of the peace process.
‘As incoming First Minister of the Northern Ireland Executive I, like you, will take every opportunity to strengthen the bonds of friendship and renew the spirit of co-operation between those of us in the world of politics and public life from different traditions, and also the people and communities we proudly represent.’
Beacons will be lit at Northern Ireland’s highest peak and most westerly town later to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The official four-day celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation will include street parties, exhibitions, church services and lunch events.
Thursday will mark the start of a long bank holiday weekend which will also include a visit from the Earl and Countess of Wessex.
The Royal couple are expected to carry out two engagements in the region on Saturday.
A gun salute will take place at Hillsborough Castle, the Royal family’s official residence in Northern Ireland, while in Belfast the HMS Pembroke will be alongside for the weekend and open to visitors with pre-booked tickets.
The UK’s most westerly town, Enniskillen in Co Fermanagh, will enjoy one of the busiest celebrations.
Visitors can enjoy a special exhibition at Enniskillen Castle which will include a maid of honour gown and page outfit worn by local people who played key roles at the coronation.
It will also host a special church service at St Macartin’s Cathedral on Thursday evening where the Queen visited in 2012 during her Diamond Jubilee, before beacons are lit.
As part of 1,500 beacons being lit across the UK between 9.15-9.45pm, many locations in Northern Ireland will host a lighting including Titanic Belfast in the capital city and St Columb’s Cathedral in Londonderry as well as the region’s highest peak.
The Walking With The Wounded charity will hike a beacon up Slieve Donard in Co Down, while their colleagues do the same at the other UK peaks, Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon.
On Sunday, big lunch events will be taking place across the region, including on the Shankill Road and in the town of Bangor, Co Down which was made a city as part of the Jubilee celebrations.
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