McGuinness’s handshake with Queen to go public

A picture of the historic handshake between Queen Elizabeth II and former IRA commander Martin McGuinness will be flashed around the world — despite earlier suggestions no photograph would be released.

As Government ministers accused Sinn Féin of nakedly manipulating the meeting, which takes place at a private event on Wednesday, it emerged the moment would be recorded. Days of confusion surrounding whether the first official encounter between the commander in chief of the British army and a senior Sinn Féin figure would be captured for posterity underlined the sensitivity involved in the occasion.

The North’s deputy first minister — and former deputy commander of the IRA’s Derry organisation in the early 1970’s — will be a guest at a function hosted by Queen Elizabeth and President Michael D Higgins in Belfast.

Sinn Féin said they had no objection to a picture of the Queen shaking hands with Mr McGuinness being made public, despite party sources previously suggesting such a move was unlikely. Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said the moment should be recorded.

“We’re doing this as proud republicans; we’re confident, we’re modern in our vision. We think this is the proper thing to do, we think it’s the right thing to do. So, of course, we have no objection to a photo being released.”

A Sinn Féin spokesperson added: “This is standard procedure with Buckingham Palace. There is a very strict protocol and they are masters at stage-managing this kind of event.

“It’s our understanding there will be an appointed photographer, and then one, or a small number of carefully selected images will be released for publication.”

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar insisted the Queen was making the greater gesture by agreeing to meet a senior Sinn Féin figure as close relative Lord Louis Mountbatten was murdered off the coast of Co Sligo in 1979 by the IRA. And Junior Finance Minister Brian Hayes accused Sinn Féin of “hyping” the event.

Wednesday’s event has been organised by Co-operation Ireland which promotes reconciliation through arts and culture. The Queen will spend two days in Northern Ireland as part of her jubilee celebrations.