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David Cameron disclosed in a new book about the Queen what was inside Her Majesty’s mind during one of the most symbolic handshakes of her 66-year reign.
The gesture itself spoke volumes not only of how far the peace process has come but also of what a significant part Her Majesty has played in it.
Mr Cameron, who was Prime Minister at the time, told the Monarch that the meeting had been a milestone of modern diplomacy.
He told the author of the book: “I think it was the most transformative bit of diplomacy I have seen.
“It was amazing.”
Queen Elizabeth offered her hand of friendship to a former commander of the IRA, who in 1979 had blown up Lord Mountbatten, Prince Philip’s uncle and Prince Charles’s beloved “mentor”.
However, after the meeting the Monarch revealed to Mr Cameron that “she was, as ever not sure what all the fuss was about” and slightly embarrassed by the adulation she received for meeting “the leader of an organisation that had once been hell-bent on exterminating her entire family”.
She apparently told the former Prime Minister: “What was I meant to do?
“Of course I shook his hand.
“It would be awkward not to.”
The book, Queen of The World, written by journalist and broadcaster Robert Hardman, also disclosed that Mr McGuinness was himself eager to meet the Queen.
There had been speculation since the Queen’s momentous visit to the Republic of Ireland in May 2011 that she would meet a senior Sinn Fein figure during her two-day trip to Northern Ireland to mark the Diamond Jubilee.
Sinn Fein’s ruling council, the Ard Comhairle, met for four hours in Dublin before announcing its decision to accept the invitation made to Mr McGuinness.
Mr Adams said Sinn Fein wanted to see a new republic in which the traditions of orange and green could be brought together in a cordial union.
The Ard Comhairle’s decision was not unanimous, but it was confirmed with a clear majority.
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