King Charles 'moved' as Union Jack flown in Paris and he delivers landmark speech in French
King Charles and French President Emmanuel Macron attend a remembrance ceremony at Arc de Triomphe Paris,
REUTERS
King Charles has explained how he was moved by Emmanuel Macron’s decision to fly a Union flag in Paris as he delivers a landmark speech in French during his state visit.
Charles, 74, is in Paris with wife Queen Camilla, 76, as the couple embark on a state visit on the other side of the Channel.
Delivering a speech in French, the King expressed his delight about touching down in the second-largest European Union nation.
He said: “We are both enormously touched by the magnificent welcome that has been extended to us.
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“France and the French people have shown us such remarkable warmth and kindness, and we are very grateful.
“Your generosity of spirit brings to mind how my family and I were so greatly moved by the tributes paid in France to my Mother, The late Queen, whose funeral took place one year ago yesterday.
“Mr President, among the many profoundly moving gestures here, the flying of the Union flag at the Elysée was particularly poignant.
“Your words, at that time, meant a great dealt to us too.
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King Charles III (left) and French President Emmanuel Macron attending the State Banquet at the Palace of Versailles, Paris
PA
“You said that she had touched your hearts - and it was she who held France in the greatest affection, as, of course, did my grandmother Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.”
The couple’s itinerary today will conclude with a grand dinner at Versailles.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte invited some 150 people to the event.
Queen Camilla, King Charles III, French President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron attending the State Banquet at the Palace of Versailles, Paris
PA
Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger, actor Hugh Grant, ex-Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba were among the other guests.
Charles also spent the day completing a number of other engagements, including laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe.
Buckingham Palace’s statement about the visit said: “The King and Queen will undertake a state visit to France, visiting Paris and Bordeaux, from Wednesday 20 to Friday 22 September 2023.
“The visit will celebrate the shared history, culture and values of the United Kingdom and France.”
The overseas tour was previously scheduled for March but Macron’s controversial retirement age reform sparked riots across France.