Update: King Charles to meet with Sinn Fein leader on Northern Ireland visit

14:44 (September 12) – Loyalists in Northern Ireland are anxious at the passing of the Queen who they see as having been steadfast and constant in the ongoing discussions regarding the future of the region.

Loyalists have continued to lay wreaths in memory of the Queen on Monday, September 12. She was to them the one constant in their struggle to remain part of the UK, with her passing now seen as a return to uncertain times.

Queen Elizabeth ruled for 70 of the region’s 100-year-old history and for all three decades of the Northern Ireland troubles.

Conversely, Irish nationalists have reacted with indifference to a Queen who they see as being the symbol of the repression of the people. They unlike the loyalist see opportunity in the change of the head of state.

The path that King Charles III will pursue when it comes to Northern Ireland is unknown, with loyalists fearing that he has little interest in the region.

People spoken to by the news agency Reuters say they fear the change could be bad for them, describing themselves as among the most loyal of British subjects.

The change also comes on the back of a change in the UK’s prime minister, with no indication given by Liz Truss as to what path she will take although she had in the past favoured breaking the agreement with the EU.

Northern Ireland’s political scene has also changed with nationalists Sinn Fein holding the most seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly for the first time. The Northern Irish had voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU.

Doug Beattie, leader of Ulster Unionists told Reuters: “The queen seemed to be the glue to the whole of the union, the four nations. So there was always that sense … if you take away that glue, you get a sense of maybe, maybe things are weaker.

“But I am not necessarily sure that is necessarily the case. With a new king, there could be continuity. We have to just wait and see.”

The Queen had made efforts more recently to mend relationships with nationalists, however, many remain distrusting of her efforts and her reasons.

Sinn Fein has called on the Northern Irish to be respectful at this time adding that they looked forward to working with King Charles in resolving the nation’s ongoing issues.  

With the Queen having passed away less than a week ago and King Charles III only having been appointed on the weekend, there has been little time for an indication of whether the approach to Northern Ireland will change. Perhaps it is that lack of comment that has led Loyalists in Northern Ireland to be anxious.

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