Martin McGuinness has been invited to an event with the Queen, by a cross-border charity.

Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness has been invited to attend an event with the Queen during her Northern Ireland visit next week.

The invitation by a major cross-border charity comes after speculation the senior republican may hold an historic first meeting with the Queen.

Sinn Féin previously said it had yet to be presented with a “doable proposition” over such an encounter.

Now Co-operation Ireland has announced it is to host an event for the Queen and the President of Ireland next Wednesday to celebrate the arts and culture across the island.

It said: “We are inviting the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to join us.”

Meanwhile, RTÉ reports that Sinn Féin will meet later today to discuss whether Mr McGuinness should attend the function.

The Co-operation Ireland reception could set up an historic first meeting and handshake between a British monarch and a senior Sinn Féin figure.

With staff writer