Charles reaches out..

Kelly urges unionists to follow example

GERRY Kelly urged unionists to follow the example set by Sinn Fein after he shook hands with Prince Charles yesterday.

The senior republican said he hoped to build on the conciliatory “outreach” gesture in the time ahead.

Sinn Fein’s Belfast Lord Mayor Deirdre Hargey and former Culture Minister Caral Ni Chuilin also met the Prince of Wales during an event in Belfast.

Stormont’s devolved administration has not sat for months in a row over identity which has polarised relations between Sinn Fein and the DUP.

Mr Kelly said: “Republicanism is built on interculture, especially in North Belfast.

“We understand that in Ireland and in this part of Ireland we have people who are British and see themselves as British, and this is part of their culture as well. I would hope that there would be reciprocation, I am not demanding that, that is not why I came.

“If we can build on this, I don’t want to exaggerate this as if it is a huge thing.

“I want them [unionists] to understand that that is a part of outreach, it is not the only bit of outreach I have done, and in North Belfast there is outreach all the time, it does not get talked about at all.”

Former deputy first minister Martin Mcguinness shook hands with the Queen in Belfast six years ago.

Mr Kelly, who met Charles at Carlisle Memorial Church, added: “Martin Mcguinness stepped out, he was the leader who did it, we are following in his footsteps.

“Ireland overall, and the North especially, is becoming an intercultural society and if you want to pick a place for interculture then North Belfast is the place to see it as well.”

The Carlisle Memorial Church was once known as the Methodist Cathedral and Mr Kelly said he wanted to see it brought back into use.

Prince Charles later travelled up to Coleraine where he met Man Utd legend Harry Gregg and was introduced to a number of children from the Harry Gregg Trust. And the excitement was almost too much for eight-year-old Brooke Mclaughlin, who like Harry, was playing in goal.

But nervous Brooke put on a brave face and said: “It was cool and I thought it was amazing. I am just so excited to have met him.”

HANDS ON Gerry Kelly and Prince Charles in North Belfast yesterday KIDDING AROUND Prince meets Brooke Mclaughlin, eight IN TUNE Prince with harpist Kerri Mullan in Coleraine, Co Derry GREETING Charles meets DUP leader Arlene Foster STROLL Out and...