History made through a handshake - Sky News Australia

Updated: 13:27, Thursday June 28, 2012

An historic handshake has taken place between the Queen and Sinn Fein's Martin McGuiness, a former IRA commander.

Much had been said and written ahead of the meeting between the deputy first minister and the monarch at Belfast's Lyric Theatre.

But the title of the attraction's current play summed up the mood of the day - Oscar Wilde's aptly named The Importance Of Being Earnest.

The momentous meeting happened in a building representing the new face of Belfast - an STG18 million ($A28 million) theatre just over a year old.

The Queen and Mr McGuinness's first greeting took place out of sight but not out of mind in a corner of the theatre away from the chatter of invited actors, artists, schoolchildren and local dignitaries.

They were there to celebrate the arts on both sides of the Irish border - unity through a love of literature, paintings or the theatre whether you are Catholic or Protestant, from the Republic or Northern Ireland.

Inside a sparsely furnished room where budding actors are put through their paces in drama workshops, the Queen and Mr McGuinness shook hands.

But with the meeting lasting only around five minutes it is not known if there was time to talk over tea for those in the room who included the Duke of Edinburgh, Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson, Irish President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina.

When the group emerged Mr McGuinness mirrored the Duke at one point, walking with his hands clasped behind his back like Philip, as they followed the Queen into the theatre's cafe bar to see an exhibition.

A line-up of dignitaries is usually a pre-requisite for the departure of the Queen, when she thanks her hosts and they in turn say goodbye.

The group patiently waited for around five minutes for their guest to reach the entrance and chatted amongst themselves, with the first minister and Mr McGuinness speaking for a while.

Mr Robinson was first in line and as the Queen appeared around a corner he held out his hand.

Next was Mr McGuinness who appeared cordial and he spoke an Irish blessing while still holding onto the monarch's hand and translated it for the head of state.

His interpretation of the words were 'Goodbye and God's speed' and as the Queen left two young women dressed in pyjamas watched from a terraced house across the street.

When Mr McGuinness left a while later journalists further up the street shouted questions at him asking how things had gone.

For those who might think the Queen's well known wit and easy going nature had completely won over the former IRA commander, he replied 'I'm still a republican'.