Queen Elizabeth II: ‘We are walking towards a brighter future’

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

“Mr President, Prince Philip and I are delighted to welcome you and Mrs Higgins to Windsor Castle.

“The castle was founded by William the Conqueror almost a thousand years ago. And a thousand years ago this very month, across the Irish Sea, Brian Boru, the most celebrated of Ireland’s High Kings, lost his life at the battle of Clontarf. Yet, despite 10 centuries of intervening history, Windsor Castle has had to wait until today to see a formal visit to this country by a Head of State of Ireland.