Royal encounter completes transition

Twenty years ago Martin McGuinness would have led protests over the Queen visiting the North, but times have moved on and now he’s willing to shake her hand, writes Michael McHugh

MARTIN McGuinness has made the transition from IRA commander to statesman. He earned a reputation as a hardliner in Derry when the conflict was at its worst 40 years ago and rose through the ranks of the IRA as the staunchest of critics of British policy in Ireland. At that time it was unthinkable that McGuinness would meet the Queen, once dubbed the “queen of death” by republicans.

But during years of talks which led up to the republican and loyalist ceasefires in 1994 the former apprentice butcher, 62, became a pivotal figure and ambassador of Sinn Féin’s evolution from political pariahs to partners in government in Northern Ireland.