Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister, former IRA commander Martin McGuinness, is to attend a state banquet to be hosted by the Queen at Windsor Castle.
Sinn Fein confirmed that Mr McGuinness will attend the banquet alongside a number of other events organised by the monarch during an official visit to the UK by the Irish President Michael D Higgins.
In a statement Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said the move reflects major progress in Anglo-Irish relations.
He said: "While Martin McGuinness' involvement in President Higgins' state visit may not be welcome by opponents of change, it is yet another example of Sinn Fein's commitment to an inclusive future based on tolerance and equality.
"This decision may cause difficulty for some Irish republicans in light of ongoing difficulties in the north (of Ireland) but I would appeal to them to view this positively in the context of republican and democratic objectives and the interests of unity and peace on this island".
Mr McGuinness and the Queen shook hands for the first time in 2012 A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "There is a long-standing practice of not commenting on individual invitations. That said, Her Majesty is greatly looking forward to this historic state visit and welcoming all guests to Windsor Castle."
The visit will come two years after the Queen met and shook hands with Mr McGuinness in Belfast during her visit to Northern Ireland.
The symbolic gesture was considered a major landmark in the peace process.
President Higgins' four-day state visit will begin on Tuesday.
It is the first time an Irish head of state has been formally invited to the UK by a British monarch.
He is expected to address both Houses of Parliament - another first for an Irish head of state.
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