Michelle O'Neill has said she understands why some people may feel hurt by her attendance at a Remembrance Sunday event this weekend. The first minister is to become the first senior Sinn Féin figure to take part in an official Remembrance Sunday ceremony in Belfast.

Members of the British army and representatives of the royal family will be present when Sinn Féin leader Michelle O’Neill attends a Remembrance Sunday event this weekend. Ms O’Neill has faced criticism from relatives of people killed by the British state forces and loyalists after it emerged she is to attend a commemoration event at the cenotaph in the grounds of Belfast City Hall.

Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill is to become the first senior Sinn Féin figure to take part in an official Remembrance Sunday ceremony in Belfast. Several Sinn Féin politicians have laid wreaths at the Cenotaph in Belfast in previous years, but they have not attended the main Sunday ceremony.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly offered no comment on the move – which will be the first time a senior Sinn Fein figure will attend such an event in Northern Ireland – saying the focus should be on Sunday.

Michelle O’Neill is to participate in Belfast City Hall’s Remembrance Sunday ceremony – the first time a senior Sinn Fein figure will take part in services in Northern Ireland.

Stormont's First Minister Michelle O'Neill will be first Sinn Féin figure to attend Remembrance Sunday ceremony as part of her pledge to be a "First Minister for all"

O’Neill, who will lay a laurel wreath at the Cenotaph in Belfast in her role as First Minister, will attend with DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly.