King Charles III expressed his sincere gratitude for the warm reception extended by France during a splendid dinner held in his honor at the magnificent Hall of Mirrors within the Palace of Versailles on Wednesday night. This grand occasion marked his official state visit, highlighting the enduring friendship between the two nations.
Delivering his words primarily in French during a toast, the king conveyed, “Once again, France and the French people have exhibited a gracious hospitality and profound kindness, for which we are profoundly thankful.”
Earlier in the day, Charles and Queen Camilla were warmly welcomed at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, where they were received by French President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse, Brigitte. Originally scheduled for March, this visit had to be postponed due to widespread protests against Macron’s pension reforms.
In his address at Versailles, King Charles underscored the imperative of revitalizing their friendship to address the challenges of the 21st century. In response, Macron hailed the visit as “a symbol of the deep-seated friendship and trust that we deeply cherish.”
The distinguished guests, adorned in elegant gowns and tuxedos, strolled along a crimson carpet laid across the cobblestones of Versailles, evoking scenes reminiscent of the Cannes Film Festival. Queen Camilla and Brigitte Macron appeared to have synchronized their attire, both elegantly attired in navy blue evening dresses.
Among the notable invitees were British actor Hugh Grant, author Ken Follett, Rolling Stones’ frontman Mick Jagger, sports personality Didier Drogba, and Tony Estanguet, the head of the Paris Olympics organizing committee, along with numerous CEOs and senior politicians.
The sumptuous menu featured delectable blue lobster and crab, followed by Bresse poultry and a gratin of cep mushrooms, meticulously crafted by renowned French chefs Anne-Sophie Pic and Yannick Alléno, both boasting three Michelin stars. The cheese selection showcased France’s Comté and Britain’s Stichelton blue cheese. For dessert, the world-renowned pastry chef Pierre Hermé presented his exquisite rose macaroon cookie, composed of rose petal cream, raspberries, and lychees.
At the Arc de Triomphe, Macron extended a warm welcome to Charles, frequently placing his hand on the king’s arm and back, fostering an atmosphere of camaraderie and jovial conversation. National anthems resonated before a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The roaring jet fighters of the Patrouille de France and Britain’s Red Arrows, the aerobatic teams of their respective air forces, performed a breathtaking joint aerial display above the monument, leaving a trail of red, white, and blue smoke that painted the Parisian sky. Both royal and presidential couples grappled with the forceful winds, ruffling Macron’s hair and prompting Camilla to firmly secure her pink beret-style hat.
Central Paris was fortified with extensive security measures for this momentous occasion, including the deployment of a substantial police presence and surveillance drones. Enthusiastic crowds gathered along the Champs-Élysées, eager to catch a glimpse of the royal procession.
Following the ceremony, King Charles and President Macron engaged in a bilateral meeting at the Elysée Palace, where they discussed their shared commitment to preserving biodiversity and combating climate change. Their agenda also encompassed talks on Russia’s conflict in Ukraine and the recent surge in migration from Tunisia to Italy’s southern island of Lampedusa.
The visit concluded with a brief stroll to the nearby residence of the UK ambassador, where Parisians could be heard jubilantly shouting, “Long live the king!”
This historic visit reaffirmed the enduring role of the British royal family as ambassadors, despite relinquishing political authority to elected leaders. It also marked a thawing of Franco-British relations following years marked by Brexit negotiations and related disputes.
Of particular note, at a bilateral summit in March, Macron and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had concurred on strengthening military cooperation and intensifying efforts to prevent migrants from crossing the English Channel.
Historian Ed Owens weighed in on the visit’s significance, emphasizing, “This decision by the British government to dispatch the king to France aims to reassure not only the people of France but also those of the UK, highlighting the profound importance of this relationship rooted in history and heritage, with a shared future that binds us together.”
On the subsequent day, King Charles addressed French lawmakers at the Senate and toured Notre Dame Cathedral to inspect the ongoing renovation work, with plans to reopen the landmark by the end of the coming year. Furthermore, he and President Macron participated in a reception for British and French business leaders, focusing on financing projects related to climate and biodiversity.
The king concluded his visit with a trip to Bordeaux, a city boasting a substantial British community. There, he met with emergency responders and communities affected by the 2022 wildfires in the region and visited the Forêt Expérimentale, an experimental forest project designed to monitor the impact of climate change on urban woodlands. Additionally, he explored a vineyard renowned for its innovative and sustainable approach to winemaking.
Source: with agencies