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State Visit

Friends, Shakespeare and an Irish Wolfhound: The historic State Visit in 22 photos

Pleasantry and pageantry.

IT WAS HAILED as memorable, historic and significant as President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina were accompanied by members of the family as they trekked around London.

There were serious political moments with Queen Elizabeth shaking Martin McGuinness’s hand again, the commitment from the British monarch to participate in 1916 commemorations in the coming years and the laying of wreathes at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.

The visit was the final step to cement a neighbourly friendship between Ireland and Great Britain, a way to put a chequered past to bed.

But it also just looked like a jolly good time was had by all. Here are some of the best moments caught on camera from the past five days.

Chats The Queen and President Higgins really seem to hit it off. Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography / Fennell Photography

Fans They even seemed to agree on the quality of the fan. Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography / Fennell Photography

BFFs It was BFFs at first sight. Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography / Fennell Photography

Banquet The impressive banquet set up for the State dinner on Tuesday evening. Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography / Fennell Photography

Albert Hall The set up at Albert Hall on Thursday was also pretty spectacular. Fennell Photography Fennell Photography

Boris There was also a chance to catch up with London favourite, Boris Johnson. Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography / Fennell Photography

Ed Miliban And Ed Miliband. Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography / Fennell Photography

cst The week started off with Michael D Higgins getting a ride with Prince Charles before greeting his mother. Johnny Bambury / Fennell Photography Johnny Bambury / Fennell Photography / Fennell Photography

Martin McGuinness Queen Elizabeth looks happy to greet Martin McGuinness on Thursday. Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography / Fennell Photography

Niall Horan There's Niall Horan. M M

Nick Clegg popped into Buckingham Palace as well. Johnny Bambury / Fennell Photography Johnny Bambury / Fennell Photography / Fennell Photography

Nurses Michael D meets Irish nurses at a London hospital. Johnny Bambury / Fennell Photography Johnny Bambury / Fennell Photography / Fennell Photography

Patient He also greeted patients and other staff at the hospital. Johnny Bambury / Fennell Photography Johnny Bambury / Fennell Photography / Fennell Photography

 

Prime Minister There was time for chats with Prime Minister David Cameron. Johnny Bambury / Fennell Photography Johnny Bambury / Fennell Photography / Fennell Photography

 

wolfhound 2 Domhnall, the Irish Wolfhound, was an excellent addition to the Welcome Ceremony. Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography / Fennell Photography

 

On the Farm 2 The trip to the Park House Stables was enjoyed by all, particularly Sabina. Johnny Bambury / Fennell Photography Johnny Bambury / Fennell Photography / Fennell Photography

 

Lambs She also had a great time at the farm. Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography / Fennell Photography

floor A sombre moment after laying a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. The President and his wife pause at the grave of the Earl and Countess Mountbatten of Burma. Malcolm McNally Malcolm McNally

 

the ladies Both families seemed to enjoy each other's company. Malcolm McNally Malcolm McNally

shakespeare This seems appropriate. Michael D in William Shakespeare's birthplace. Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography / Fennell Photography

 

shakespeare 2 Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography / Fennell Photography

London It was a grand ould holiday, all the same. Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography / Fennell Photography

Read: Niall Horan met President Higgins and Twitter was very confused

DailyEdge.ie: Here’s what President Higgins and the Queen were REALLY thinking during the State Visit

Take Two: The Queen and Martin McGuinness shake hands at Windsor

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