The newly honoured Dame Arlene Foster has welcomed a move by Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O'Neill to write to the Queen on her Platinum Jubilee.
Ms O'Neill wrote to the Queen to praise her "significant" contribution to the Stormont peace process and to acknowledge her "dedicated public service to the British people" during her 70 years on the throne.
She also thanked the Queen for her "warmth and unfailing courtesy" on the occasions when the pair have met and described the "value and respect" she had for the monarch's contribution to reconciliation.
Read more: Arlene Foster “thrilled and delighted” after being named a Dame in Birthday Honours
Dame Arlene, who received her damehood in the Queen's Jubilee birthday honours, welcomed Ms O’Neill's gesture.
"Obviously, I very much welcome it," said the former First Minister, who had served alongside Ms O'Neill at the head of the Stormont Executive.
The former DUP leader said the Platinum Jubilee celebrated three things – the Queen's public service and dedication; the institution of the monarchy; and the concept of Britishness.
She told BBC Radio Ulster: "I think for republicans, like Michelle O'Neill, like Nicola Sturgeon, they have recognised in Her Majesty the Queen the first of those, the fact that she has given so much service to the country.
"They're recognising that and I think that that is something that is to be welcomed."
Ms O'Neill’s letter to the Queen, sent late last month, describes her Platinum Jubilee as a "historic moment".
The Sinn Féin deputy leader also refers to the Queen's landmark meetings with the party in the past decade.
In 2012 she shook hands with Martin McGuinness, the former IRA commander turned Deputy First Minister, during a visit to Northern Ireland.
And in 2014, Mr McGuinness joined in a toast to the Queen during a state banquet at Windsor Castle held in honour of Irish President Michael D Higgins.
In her letter to the Queen, Ms O'Neill wrote: "I thought it best to write to you personally as you mark 70 years of dedicated public service to the British people as Monarch.
“Your Platinum Jubilee is an historic moment, especially for all those from the unionist and British tradition on the island of Ireland, and across these islands whom with great pride and devotion hold you very dear.
“Personally, I wish to thank you for your warmth and unfailing courtesy on the occasions in which both I and my late colleague, Martin McGuinness, met with you in Belfast in 2012 during your Diamond Jubilee, and thereafter at Windsor Castle during the State Visit of President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins to the UK in 2014.
“I wish to record the value and respect I place on the significant contribution you have made to the advancement of peace and reconciliation between the different traditions on our island, and between our two islands during those years of the peace process.
“As incoming First Minister of the Northern Ireland Executive I, like you, will take every opportunity to strengthen the bonds of friendship and renew the spirit of co-operation between those of us in the world of politics and public life from different traditions, and also the people and communities we proudly represent.”
The Queen, 96, is the first British monarch to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee. A series of events are being held to mark the occasion across an extended bank holiday weekend.
In February, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald congratulated the Queen on her Platinum Jubilee for a "lifetime of service".
It came as Stormont's Assembly Commission agreed to plant a tree in the grounds of Parliament Buildings to mark the occasion.
The move followed a row in which Sinn Féin Finance Minister Conor Murphy was accused of blocking the planting of a tree in the Stormont estate.
But Mr Murphy insisted he was following existing policies. He later announced plans to review the rules.
Read more: Arlene Foster “thrilled and delighted” after being named a Dame in Birthday Honours
Read more: Stormont releases record of controversial Chinese consul meeting after two-year transparency battle
For the latest politics news straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
