Royal banquet: Queen takes centrestage

Queen Elizabeth II (R) and Irish President Michael D. Higgins (2R) talk at the State Banquet during the Irish president's state visit in Windsor, west of London. (AFP)

Guests listen during a speech by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in honour of the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins at the State Banquet during the Irish president's state visit in Windsor, west of London. (AFP)

Dame Judy Dench (R) attends a State Banquet during the Irish president's state visit in Windsor. (AFP)

Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Martin McGuinness (R) talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron (L) and Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny (C) at a State Banquet during the Irish president's state visit in Windsor. (AFP)

Queen Elizabeth II welcomed the Irish president to Britain on Tuesday for the first time since the republic became independent with a banquet also controversially attended by former IRA commander Martin Guinness. (AFP)

Irish President Michael D. Higgins (L) and Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (R) pose for a photograph ahead of a State Banquet during the Irish president's state visit in Windsor. (AFP)

Irish President Michael D. Higgins (2L) and Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (2R) are flanked by Higgins's wife Sabina Coyne (L) and Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (R) as they pose for a photograph ahead of a State Banquet during the Irish president's state visit in Windsor, west of London. (AFP)

Guests listen during a speech by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in honour of Ireland's President Michael D. Higgins at the Royal Banquet in Windsor. (REUTERS)

Irish President Michael D. Higgins (C) stands at the lectern to deliver his speech at the Houses of Parliament in central London. (AFP)

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Irish President Michael D. Higgins travel to Windsor Castle in a State Carriage Procession during his state visit, in Windsor, west of London. (AFP)

Irish President Michael D. Higgins, his wife Sabina, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, and Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh inspect the Guard during a ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London. (AFP)

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (2R) and Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (L) show Irish President Michael D Higgins (R) and his wife Sabina Coyne (2L) Irish related items from the Royal Collection in the Green Drawing Room in Windsor Castle, west of London. (AFP)

Irish President Michael D. Higgins (centre R), his wife Sabina (L) and Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (centre L) and Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (R) inspect the Guard during a ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London. (AFP)

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