Sinn Féin's Vice President Michelle O'Neill said she has accepted an invitation to attend King Charles' coronation next month, and is doing so in the hope of "advancing peace".
The Northern Ireland politician, who previously served as deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland between 2020 and 2022, will join Irish President Michael D Higgins and wife Sabina in May.
The coronation of King Charles III and Camilla, which is marked for May 6 at Westminster Abbey in London, is the first time in history an Irish head of state will attend the crowning of a monarch since Irish independence.
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Ms O'Neill confirmed her attendance at the event this Wednesday afternoon in a social media post, forming one of close to 2,000 individuals who have been officially invited to the ceremony.
She said: "I have accepted an invitation to attend the coronation of King Charles lll. We are living in a time of great change. A time to respect our differing and equally legitimate aspirations, and focus on the opportunities the next decade will bring."
Ms O'Neill had to relinquish her office of Deputy First Minister last year following the resignation of Paul Givan, and despite Sinn Féin gaining the majority vote in the electorate in 2022, she has not taken up the official First Minister position as the DUP refuse to elect a Deputy First Minister, citing dissatisfaction with the Northern Ireland Protocol.
The Tyrone raised politician stressed that she is an Irish Republican and recognises there are "many people on our island" for whom the coronation is a "hugely important occasion."
"I am committed to being a First Minister for all, representing the whole community, and advancing peace and reconciliation through respectful and mature engagement.
"Therefore I will join President of Ireland Michael D Higgins, international figures, other party leaders and the Assembly Speaker for the coronation of King Charles III," she added.
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