“It is more likely that in the run-up to the visit the Provisional IRA will seek, by bombings etc, to deter us from carrying out the visit.
“To this end, the PIRA could exploit any tension and violence which came in the ordinary way from the marching season and the anniversary, the day before the visit, of the introduction of internment.”
Despite concerns, the visit eventually went ahead.
Plans were altered to prevent the late Queen meeting members of the public in Belfast or driving around in an armoured car amid fears it was too dangerous.
One minister wrote that the late monarch had been “terribly, terribly tense” throughout the visit.
It was also reported that once her engagements had been completed, Prince Philip patted the late Queen’s hand and said: “There now, it’s over. Unless they sink the Britannia, we’re safe.”