Queen Elizabeth II reportedly dismissed Northern Ireland’s Orange Marches as “foolish marching enterprise” throughout a personal chat with Ireland’s ambassador to the UK, Ted Barrington, in 2000.
The comment, which emerged in newly launched state papers, came about at a Buckingham Palace Garden Party on July 25.
Barrington famous that the Queen’s remark wasn’t a one-off, having heard comparable sentiments from Her Majesty earlier than.
Despite the conference of protecting royal conversations non-public, Barrington, apparently cautious of the doable backlash, initially hesitated to share the Queen’s views.
His report, which was not meant for huge circulation, requested restricted distribution to forestall any stir which may come up from the remark.
Her Majesty wasn’t shy about sharing her no-nonsense opinion, even when it wasn’t precisely “marching orders” for public disclosure.
While acknowledging the significance of paramilitary prisoner releases for the peace deal—such because the controversial launch of Michael Stone—Her Majesty’s touch upon the marches has sparked debate.
The Rev Mervyn Gibson of the Orange Order weighed in, suggesting the remark might need been taken out of context.
He questioned whether or not the “foolish” comment was directed on the protesters, the Parades Commission, or one thing else fully.
