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Telegraph.co.uk

Wednesday 27 June 2012

The Queen shakes hands with former IRA commander Martin McGuinness

The Queen has shaken hands with the former IRA commander Martin McGuinness in a gesture that means as much to the peace process as her groundbreaking visit to Ireland last year.

The monarch and Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister met briefly when the Queen visited a theatre in Belfast to view an art exhibition.

A television cameraman and stills photographer were allowed to capture the historic moment, but no members of the public were allowed within a mile of the venue as police imposed a total exclusion zone amid fears of a terrorist attack.

Mr McGuinness, as he held the monarch's hands for a few moments, spoke to her in Irish and told her the words meant: "Goodbye and God speed."

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