The Democratic Unionist leader greeted the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at the East Belfast Mission church with one of his characteristic quips about the weather, which produced smiles and a laugh.

The First Minister said the visit, which comes ahead of the tenth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, was one of his most cherished tasks ahead of his retirement in May.

"The Queen has visited Northern Ireland many times before, but not, I believe, at a more promising time for the province," he said. ...