Michelle O'Neill Meets King Charles, Declines Windsor Stay

Sinn Féin's First Minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle O'Neill, is set to meet King Charles at Windsor Castle for a political event that also includes UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales. Although the invitation extended to an overnight stay, O'Neill has chosen to stay elsewhere, leading to accusations of 'snubbing' the King from Unionist sources. Experts noted that if O'Neill had accepted the invitation, it would have marked a significant moment, as it would have been the first time a Sinn Féin leader stayed overnight at a royal residence since the Troubles began. O'Neill previously met Charles during his visit to Northern Ireland in 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and attended his coronation the following year. The decision has garnered attention in the British press, with some viewing it as a politically motivated choice influenced by her Republican support base. Despite the criticism, O'Neill's spokesperson emphasized the event's importance for advocating the interests of Northern Irish communities.