Following the news last week, we learn that Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (FODC) has refused the request for a complimentary portrait of His Majesty, King Charles lll. Perhaps it's unsurprising that a Republican-dominated council, with 21 Sinn Féin councillors, voted in block against the Ulster Unionist Party’s proposal.  

However, this certainly appears to be in complete contradiction to the actions of the Sinn Féin party leadership, specifically, Vice-President Michelle O’Neill, who continues to echo the claim she would be the "First Minister for all" within Northern Ireland.

The actions of her fellow councillors in FODC seem to suggest that there is one rule for one, and one rule for another.

Does she support the actions of her councillors; were the gestures of attending the King and Queen's Coronation just for show?

It appears that the mask of Sinn Féin has slipped once again. This message from the Sinn Féin councillors in FODC shows that despite the hollow words from Michelle O’Neill ('First Minister for All'), their party continues to undermine and belittle all those of a British identity.

The Monarchy, steeped in centuries of history, plays an intricate role in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and one of its notable impacts is in contributing to peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

The Royal Family has served as a symbol of unity and impartiality, playing a nuanced role in the delicate socio-political landscape in Northern Ireland.

The continuity and stability provided by the Monarchy have played a role in the Peace Process. The hereditary nature of the Monarchy offers a sense of permanence; a factor that can be reassuring during times of political change.

This continuity contrasts with the often turbulent political landscape in Northern Ireland, providing a sense of stability that contributes to building trust among various communities.

The presence of the Monarch has been crucial in fostering dialogue and reconciliation.

Royal visits to Northern Ireland have often been seen as gestures of goodwill and bridge divides. They have gone further in helping develop better relations between these islands and the people that inhabit them.

Most remarkably, the late Queen’s state visit to the Republic of Ireland in 2011 marked a watershed moment in Anglo-Irish relations, with Queen Elizabeth II gracefully speaking Irish for the first time, to the amazement of everyone in the room.

Back then, it was Sinn Féin who were absent in the room; nevertheless, in years gone by, the many acts of good faith enabled by the Monarchy – and Nationalists – have gone a long way in healing the divide across the community.

Does this affront to a complimentary portrait undo all these actions?

It will certainly have negative consequences across the Fermanagh and Omagh area, and only reiterates that for Sinn Féin, their seemingly embracement of the Royal family is all smoke and mirrors.

It is obvious that you don’t have to scratch the surface of Sinn Féin very far until you find what lies underneath that softer public front of the Republican movement: a continuance of opposition to the British culture and ethos.

In 2012, Queen Elizabeth II made the significant gesture of crossing the road in Enniskillen between St. Macartin's Church of Ireland Cathedral, and St. Michael's Roman Catholic church.

What a great signal that was provided to the world by the Queen.

What a difference that positive community relation action was, compared to the recent decision of FODC to refuse the gift of a portrait of King Charles III.

While Sinn Féin continues their divisive policy of dual naming of roads and streets within the district, which comes at a huge financial cost to the ratepayers of the area, they refuse to respect and tolerate the community who show allegiance to the Monarch and Royal Family by not accepting the gift of a portrait.

Many of us will recall the murder of King Charles’ great-uncle, Lord Mountbatten, at the hands of the IRA in 1979.

Clearly, that was a very challenging episode in the life of the then Prince of Wales; his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II; and all the Royal Family.

The Royal Family demonstrated their commitment to reconciliation in Northern Ireland by later meeting with IRA members whether former or current, even though the family had suffered terribly at the hands of the IRA.

The Monarchy plays a symbolic role in the constitutional framework that underpins the Peace Process.

As a constitutional institution, the Monarchy represents the democratic principles that underpin the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The decision by those members of the local council, where I used to serve, to not accept the gift of the Royal portrait says much about their mindset.

They haven’t moved on from their past, and are unable to show a level of positive community relations and respect for their fellow citizens.