NI 100: Prince Charles attends Anglo-Irish Treaty exhibition

Prince Charles viewed the original British copy of the 1921 treaty which was on loan from the National Archives

The Prince of Wales has visited the Irish Embassy in London to see portraits of politicians who negotiated the Anglo-Irish Treaty 100 years ago.

The exhibition of portraits, by Belfast-born artist Sir John Lavery, includes paintings of Sir Winston Churchill and Michael Collins.

The original British copy of the 1921 treaty was also on view in the embassy, on loan from the UK National Archives.

Lavery's portrait of ex-Irish president Eamon De Valera was also on display.

He was not at the negotiations in London during the winter of 1921 and later rejected the treaty, which split republicans and ultimately led to a civil war in Ireland.

Prince Charles met embassy staff and descendants of the negotiators

Prince Charles was shown round the exhibition by the Republic of Ireland's ambassador to the UK, Adrian O'Neill, who described the 100-year-old treaty as a "pivotal moment in Irish and British history".

"We were delighted to welcome his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to the embassy for a special viewing of Sir John Lavery's portraits of some of the leading figures involved in the treaty negotiations," he said.

"I am particularly pleased that his Royal Highness also had the opportunity to meet with some of the British and Irish descendants of those involved in the treaty negotiations, and hear about the members of their families who played such a central part in the negotiations.

"The events of a century ago shaped relationships across these islands and the opportunity 100 years later to reflect on this key moment in Irish and British history is a very welcome one."

Sir Winston Churchill, then secretary for the colonies, was among the British signatories of the 1921 treaty

Also present were Éamon Ó Cúiv, great-grandson of Eamon De Valera, and Sir Nicholas Soames, grandson of Sir Winston Churchill, as well as Aenghus O'Malley, grand-nephew of Michael Collins.

The BBC News NI website has a dedicated section marking the 100th anniversary of the creation of Northern Ireland and partition of the island.

There are special reports on the major figures of the time and the events that shaped modern Ireland available at bbc.co.uk/ni100.

Year '21: You can also explore how Northern Ireland was created a hundred years ago in the company of Tara Mills and Declan Harvey.

Listen to the latest Year '21 podcast on BBC Sounds or catch-up on previous episodes.