James Taylor: Like Families, Queen Has Had To Reconcile

James Taylor, a royal- watcher Shirebrook , says we should not underestimate the importance of state visits.

Although President Michael D Higgins - like other presidents before him - visited the UK previously , the value of this first state visit whenever you are not getting a stamp in your passport , but the meaning it brings .

While many dismiss the ceremony of state visits - the carriage procession, the review of the troops and banquet tiaras, orders and decorations - as anachronistic and a waste of money, is the highest honor the government can bestow on another country.

By having his chief of ours organized a royal residence (usually Buckingham Palace or, as in this case, Castle Windsor), by putting out the best china and gold (actually silver young - sow) means that the visiting head of state is given the best possible welcome.

Visit acts as a showcase for UK plc to show the best it has to offer, and politicians have private conversations.

After all of the turbulent history between our two countries in the past century, this is expected to put the story to rest and allow us both to focus on the future, instead of bringing ill will in the past. This can be considered the second leg in this diplomatic trip.

State Visit of the Queen to the Irish Republic in 2011 marked a real change in the relations between our two neighboring countries.

Before the visit, there were real fears for the safety of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. A bomb was found on a bus shortly before his arrival and a controlled explosion was carried out.

But all was well and the Queen and the Duke received a warm welcome during the visit - something that seemed to surprise not only to the commentators, but the royal couple.

In a cynical world, the Gaelic words spoken by Queen - "A Uachtarain agus one chairde " , translated as "The president and his friends" - drew applause from the audience and the media later.

Although relations between the UK and the Republic of Ireland have been warmer for several years, the impact of the personal touch that gives this visit should not be underestimated.

. Nor should the encounter between the Queen and Martin McGuinness, on his visit retire to Northern Ireland in 2012 should not be forgotten that the uncle of Prince Philip, Lord Mountbatten, was killed by an IRA bomb in 1979 - and the spirit of the reconciliation by the Queen and McGuinness mirrors that shown by the families of the province is shown.

It is hoped that this visit will strengthen this warm and special relationship.