Queen meeting 'emotional for republicans'

Published Sunday, 24 June 2012
Comments
Toggle font size
Print

Next week's meeting between Martin McGuinness and the Queen will be a highly emotional occasion for republicans, according to Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams.

Video available to UK viewers only.
We’re sorry. This video is unavailable from your location.

To find out if this video is available to you, we need to know what region you live in. Please enter your postcode below (including space).

Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for confirming your region.

Frequently Asked Questions

We are sorry but this video is not available on u.tv in your region. Your region is listed below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you in Northern Ireland?

1. Why is my postcode required?

We are asking you to insert your postcode before watching some videos to confirm you can access the video content via u.tv.

This is because some videos on u.tv are only available in Northern Ireland.

Don't worry, we won't store or use this information for any other purpose.

If you are not in Northern Ireland, the content may be available to watch at itv.com or stv.tv.

2. Why am I directed to itv.com or stv.tv when I try to view certain clips?

The videos, which are not available on u.tv to users outside Northern Ireland, will be available to those users on itv.com (for users in England and Wales) or stv.tv (for most users in Scotland).

We need to know where you are in order to make sure you are getting the right content.

If you think we've got your location wrong, then please click here.

Need more help? Contact us

Her Majesty is due to make a two-day visit to Northern Ireland and will meet the deputy First Minister in Belfast on Wednesday, where it's understood a historic handshake will take place in private.

"We recognise that this decision for Martin to attend the event carries very significant, symbolic, political and emotional weight for the people of this island - and especially for the republican people of this island," Mr Adams said, addressing republicans at an event in the Felons' Club in west Belfast on Sunday.

"We're very conscious that some victims of British violence might be upset by such a meeting and that's their right, that's their entitlement."

But Mr Adams thanked those families affected who had responded in a positive way.

"I want to speak directly to unionists," Mr Adams then added.

"We acknowledge the British Queen's place in the hearts and minds and sentiments of the unionist communities - though, as republicans, we do not subscribe to the ideas of royalty and monarchy.

"This meeting is therefore a meeting of equals. Our leader Martin McGuinness is equal to everyone else at that meeting next week."

Mr Adams further held that Sinn Fein was right not to meet with the Queen during her visit to the Republic of Ireland last year, but said that this was "a different visit, in a different context".

© UTV News
Comments Comments
17 Comments
John in Bermondsey wrote (330 days ago):
Billy the Queen rules over Canada,Australia among many more countries. The name UK may have to be renamed soon, it looks like scotland will be breaking away after 2014, i think that would be good for N.I. also.
Ulysses32 in Belfast wrote (330 days ago):
I really don't know what the problem is here. The Queen regularly mixes with the likes of King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa. I don't hear too many unionists whinging about that....
Paddy in Free State wrote (330 days ago):
WOW we got over this in 1998 and completely lost interest. 14 years later and your still talking about this? what a confused 1/6th of our island :/
Eddy planet earth. in planet earth wrote (330 days ago):
Martin has a Queen; And she is his wife the mother of their children. All this gaffe about a german/english woman from abroad is a lot of nonsense.
Johnny mac in Belfast wrote (330 days ago):
She's coming tomorrow. Unionists will be wetting themselves with the excitement of it all.
POST A COMMENT:
Name:  
Email address*:    
Location:  
Validation:
House Rules:  
Your Comment:  
[All comments are moderated and will not appear immediately. Your name, location and comment will be displayed on this page if your post passes moderation.]
MOST POPULAR GALLERIES
On the rocks
Wed 01 May 2013
4x4 in Ballycastle harbour
Thu 02 May 2013