Significant Irish presence at Westminster Abbey

Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of All Ireland, also attended becoming the first Irish Catholic bishop at a coronation since the Reformation.

BY MAL ROGERS

PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins has said that his attendance at the coronation of King Charles III reflected a “significant break” from the past and demonstrates what is required in terms of good relations between countries. He is the first Irish head of state to attend a coronation, and in contrast to 1953 and Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne, RTÉ devoted four hours to the ceremony. A statement on the President’s website reads: “The President and Sabina

Higgins attended the coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6.

“President Higgins is the first Irish Head of State to attend the crowning of a British monarch, reinforcing the importance of strong relations between Ireland and the United Kingdom.”

In 1953 the Irish public were encouraged to not even listen to the service on the radio. The Republic was less than four years old, and there was still plenty of anti-British sentiment about.

This time, however, the coronation was celebrated by many in Ireland, and amongst the Irish in Britain community. And in a major sea change in attitudes, Sinn Féin’s Vice President, Michelle O’Neill attended the ceremony along with Alex Maskey, the Speaker at Stormont.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also attended. He acknowledged that the royal couple have long been keen visitors to Ireland, both north and south. The Taoiseach said: “King Charles and Queen Camilla are longstanding friends of Ireland and King