President Michael D Higgins begins day two of his state visit to Britain today with an event to mark the contribution of Irish people to the NHS.

SEWN together with as much care as this landmark State visit, it was joint admiration of a fan made from handcrafted Youghal lace which saw queen Elizabeth and President Higgins relax into laughter after the spectacle of the welcome to Windsor Castle.

The ceremonial red coat presented by President Michael D Higgins to the mascot of the Irish Guards returned a gesture of friendship made by the regiment more than 40 years ago.

HERE is a transcript of the Queen’s banquet speech for the state visit of President Michael D Higgins:

It’s official. Amy and Brian really are our Kate and Wills.

President Michael D Higgins has hailed the transformation of relations between Britain and Ireland, from doubt to trust and mutual respect. In a historic address to Britain’s Houses of Parliament — the first time Ireland’s head of state has been given the honour — Mr Higgins said the two countries now have a closeness that once seemed unachievable.

The Queen has said that Britain and Ireland shall “no longer allow our past to ensnare our future” at a historic state banquet in honour of President Michael D Higgins.

Haunted by more than 900 years of often bloody history, Windsor Castle was a fitting place to try and lay to rest the ghosts of a troubled past.

Yesterday, as the hope that we on these islands might live together without the ghosts of history colouring our every interaction came closer to being a vibrant reality, two vignettes pointed to the complexity of our shared history.

President Michael D Higgins said he will think of his two sisters, his childhood neighbours and all the other Irish emigrants “who have come and contributed to Britain” when he is welcomed at Windsor Castle today.

Former president Mary Robinson said “the Irish story will be well told” during this week’s state visit to Britain by President Michael D Higgins, and “it will be a positive one”.

The royal carpet to be rolled out for Michael D Higgins will be an even richer red than usual as Britain’s Queen Elizabeth has taken a special interest in how the President is treated during the state visit.

President Michael D Higgins began an official state visit to Britain yesterday with the head of state heralding a new era of relations between the two countries.

The last months have not been good for our police. An Garda Síochána has seen its reputation damaged profoundly and as further details about illegal phone tapping emerge, that is likely to continue.