A HOST of famous names and the political elite joined the royal family at Windsor Castle for the state banquet in honour of Irish President Michael Higgins.

In a move unthinkable only a decade ago, Deputy First Minister and ex-IRA Commander Martin McGuinness attended and was seen in conversation with Prime Minister David Cameron Enda Kenny, the Irish Taoiseach.

At the meal he was seated next to President of the Royal Society Sir Paul Nurse and Director of Liberty Shami Chakrabarti.

Before the banquet the sister of a woman killed in the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings called for the arrest of Mr McGuinness.

Julie Hambleton, whose 18-year-old sister Maxine died in the atrocity, took part in a small demonstration outside Windsor Castle calling for justice for the victims of the bombings.

Earlier Mr Higgins hailed the transformation of relations between Britain and Ireland, from a period of doubt to trust and mutual respect.

Addressing the Houses of Parliament - the first time Ireland's head of state has been given the honour - Mr Higgins said the two countries now have a closeness once thought unachievable.

He said Britain and Ireland must take pride in the peace that has been built in Northern Ireland.

"I am conscious that I am in the company here of many distinguished parliamentarians who have made their own individual contributions to the journey we have travelled together," he said.

"I acknowledge them and I salute them, as I acknowledge and salute all those who have selflessly worked to build concord between our peoples.."

In a wide-ranging speech, President Higgins touched on many of the themes which his four-day official state visit to Britain will explore, including emigration and shared history.

Commons Speaker John Bercow said the President's address at Westminster was a historic day.