Sinn Fein’s Snub: Michelle O’Neill Declines King’s Invitation to Stay at Windsor Castle

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Sinn Fein’s first minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle O’Neill, has turned down an invitation from King Charles III to stay overnight at Windsor Castle following a private dinner with leaders of the devolved nations. The Telegraph has learned that while other leaders, including the first ministers of Scotland and Wales as well as Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister, have accepted the offer, Ms. O’Neill has opted out.

 

Had she agreed, it would have marked the first time a Sinn Fein leader stayed overnight in a Royal residence since the Troubles began. A Unionist source criticized her decision, stating, “You can’t claim to be the first minister for all and then snub the King.” However, the specific reason for her rejection remains unclear, and a spokesman for the Northern Ireland executive declined to comment.

 

Ms. O’Neill has previously attended both Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and King Charles’s Coronation, significant given Sinn Fein’s longstanding aim for Northern Ireland to leave the United Kingdom. Some speculate her decision may have been influenced by political considerations within her Republican support base.

 

This development is another chapter in the evolving relationship between Sinn Fein and the British monarchy. Once the political wing of the IRA, Sinn Fein has played a role in the peace process that led to power-sharing in Northern Ireland. The IRA had historically targeted members of the Royal family, most notably assassinating Lord Mountbatten in 1979. However, relations have softened over the years, notably in 2012 when Queen Elizabeth II shook hands with Martin McGuinness, a former IRA commander and then Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister.

 

King Charles, who was close to Lord Mountbatten, has actively continued efforts to foster reconciliation. His invitation to Ms. O’Neill to stay overnight was seen as a symbolic step toward further easing tensions. The private dinner, bringing together the leaders of the four nations, aims to encourage dialogue away from public scrutiny.

 

While senior Sinn Fein figures have met with the monarchy in the past, Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine since 1999, remarked, “I can’t recall any occasion on which the Sinn Fein leader would have been an overnight guest of the monarch since the Troubles. It is a very magnanimous gesture on the King’s part, rather following in his mother’s footsteps.”

 

The three-hour dinner is a new initiative by King Charles, viewed as an effort to strengthen ties across the UK. It marks the first time he has hosted all devolved administration leaders together. The event was not listed on public schedules of political engagements.

 

Among those attending are Sir Keir Starmer, Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney, Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan, and Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, a Unionist from the DUP. While Mr. Swinney, Ms. Morgan, and Ms. Little-Pengelly are staying overnight and attending breakfast on Thursday, Sir Keir, whose official residence is within an hour’s drive from Windsor Castle, will not be staying.

 

Spokespeople for the invited leaders, along with Buckingham Palace, have declined to comment on the details of the dinner or overnight arrangements.

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2025-02-14