The Queen’s coffin arrives in London

Former UK Prime Minister Theresa May told CNN on Tuesday that Queen Elizabeth II was “the best diplomat in the country”. He said King Carlos III would follow his example and “recognize moments when the king has the ability to help people move forward.” The monarch visits Northern Ireland as part of a tour of the nations on Tuesday.

In a conversation with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, he paid tribute to the late queen’s diplomatic legacy and, in particular, her 2011 visit to the Republic of Ireland and her role in the Northern Ireland peace process.

“It has enormous power, the monarchy. The arrival of the Republic of Ireland was very important because it brought the two countries together,” May said.

“As a child, I was old enough to know about the conflict in Northern Ireland and was very concerned about when we would see peace and that reconciliation. Her Majesty played a part in that. That visit to the Republic was very important to Ireland, but shaking hands with Martin McGuinness,” he added. .

The late Martin McGuinness was the leader of the Irish nationalist Sinn Féin party in Northern Ireland at the time and a former commander of the Provisional Irish Republican Army. The Queen’s handshake was seen as a major step in the peace process, as the army was responsible for the death of Prince Philip’s uncle, Lord Mountbatten.

As King Charles III was visiting Belfast, May told CNN that she hoped the monarch’s visit would promote unity among the nations of the United Kingdom.

“I think the country is rallying behind [de la monarquía] This is because it is an essential part of our constitutional structure that a new monarch should take over immediately upon the death of the previous monarch. There is a complete thread of continuity and people recognize it. It is absolutely true that the King was in Scotland yesterday, he is in Northern Ireland and he is also going to Wales,” he said.

“It’s kind of a historic thing for the king to show himself to his people across the country. That’s what he’s doing. I think everyone will be reassured by the continuity it provides,” he added.