Messines event held in Belgium

A major joint Uk-irish ceremony has begun in Belgium to mark the centenary of a First World War battle where unionist and nationalist soldiers from Ireland fought side by side in the trenches.

The Duke of Cambridge and Irish premier Enda Kenny yesterday arrived at the Island of Ireland Peace Park in Messines in Flanders, to commemorate the first day of the weeklong battle. Prince William and the Taoiseach were joined by Princess Astrid of Belgium and Lord Dunlop to honour the soldiers who fought.