Prince Charles in Ireland

DH and I were commenting on the cup of tea that Charles still clutched while he shook hands with Adams. Some of it was spilled in the saucer and we would have expected a minion to have relieved him of it.

So.....any psychologists on here with a theory?

Was it a comfort 'barrier' between him and Adams?
Did he think, Sod you, matey, I'm not putting down my cuppa?
Was he wishing someone would take it from him but they were all embarrassed by the situation?

It made for an odd and awkward looking photo.

I think Prince Charles has been marvellous and much the bigger person in all this. It really annoys the way former terrrorists are now styled ' freedom fighters'.

I too loathe and mistrust Adams and McGuiness but agree that the negotiations have managed to secure some kind of peace. I appreciate Prince Charles and the Queen doing their jobs properly but found it slightly nauseating to see the photographs of Gerry Adams face as he shook hands with Prince Charles.

It must have been difficult for Charles ( and the Queen too) but it's all part of the job for them.
It made me feel sick though.

I don't like Adams or McGuiness but the N I peace negotiations have somehow eventually managed to secure a peace, and put an end to the worst excesses of the appalling conflict which went on in the troubles.

There was no real other option than to accept a compromise to get over this.

I too hate Adams and felt sick to the stomach seeing him smiling as Prince Charles shook his hand. And hearing that he 'expressed regret' for what happened in 'the conflict'. And that he thought Prince Charles and he were 'of a common mind'. Seriously sickening.

He is a dreadful hypocritical villain

Adams looked much happier than Charles. I hate Adams. I looked at his account on Twitter for a while, but he tweeted such trivial rubbish, I stopped reading it. Dreadful man.

It must be some crumb of comfort to him that the Guardian's dogged and eventually successful battle to get his 'black spider letters' released into the public domain hasn't engendered the shock and horror that they anticipated.

I don't actually feel sorry for him, but I admire him for confronting what must have been a difficult exchange.

I don't think I would have been able to keep my anger and grief at bay. I can't stand Jerry Adams....Such a hypocrite.

Timothy Knatchbull's (Mountbatten's surviving twin grandon) book, From a Clear Blue Sky is heartbreaking.