President Mary McAleese was given a full briefing on the North's new policing measures by PSNI chief constable Hugh Orde today.
The President, Mary McAleese
The pair held talks at Mr Orde's headquarters in Belfast amid criticism of her visit from the Democratic Unionists.
The chief constable refused to be drawn into a row over the meeting, declaring: "That's a matter for politicians to form a view on this.
"It's an important statement made by the president and we are delighted to welcome her to see us."
Her planned visit to a primary school in the loyalist Taughmonagh estate in South Belfast will go ahead as planned.
Before beginning their talks, Mr Orde praised the President's continued interest in the security arrangements north of the Border. "I have met the president on a number of occasions and she's interested in policing," he said.
Mrs McAleese had been due to meet staff and children at a primary school in Belfast but changed her itinerary.
Serious rioting in north Belfast in recent days close to the Shankill area, together with mounting concerns about Saturday's postponed Orange Order Whiterock parade from the Shankill on to the nationalist Springfield Road, are understood to be the main factors behind the cancellation.
Orange Order members and their supporters staged a number of demonstrations on roads in north and west Belfast yesterday morning and evening against a Parades Commission ruling banning Orangemen from parading onto the Springfield Road to their hall at Whiterock through Workman Avenue on Saturday.
Sinn Féin MP Martin McGuinness said he was "disappointed" that an opportunity to build bridges was lost by the cancellation of the Shankill element of today's visit.
SDLP North Belfast MLA Alban Maginness said the decision to cancel the visit to the Shankill "was unfortunate, but probably wise under the circumstances".