King Charles III and Emmanuel Macron stood before the oak tree they had planted in the gardens of the British Embassy in Paris on September 20, 2023. The visit, which marks the first official visit of the British monarch to France during his reign, was filled with grandeur, symbolic gestures, and the full pomp that the French Republic is capable of.
Originally scheduled for March, the visit was postponed due to the protests that accompanied the retirement reform. Its main objective is to showcase the closeness and friendship between France and the United Kingdom, as the Brexit has strained the ties between the two countries.
Upon his arrival at Orly – he flew from the UK for security reasons – 74-year-old Charles III joined French President Macron at the Arc de Triomphe to relight the flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to the sound of bagpipes. Meanwhile, Camilla struggled to keep her pink hat in place against the gusts of wind. After greeting a carefully selected audience of veterans and students from a Franco-British school – with onlookers kept at a distance and the Champs-Elysées emptied – the king and his host planted an oak tree in the gardens of the British Embassy. They later had a private meeting at the Elysée Palace, beneath the flying Union Jack.
The two men exchanged protocol gifts that were highly appropriate. The king chose a complete edition of Voltaire’s “Lettres sur les Anglais,” while Emmanuel Macron presented an original edition of Romain Gary’s “The Roots of Heaven,” a plea for the protection of the planet, a known interest of the British monarch. The President and his guest concluded the day by presiding over a lavish dinner in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles, attended by 160 guests, including Mick Jagger, Charlotte Gainsbourg, LVMH luxury group CEO Bernard Arnault, and a large part of the French government.
Amidst the toasts, Charles III recalled his parents’ first trip to Paris, which took place in 1948, when they were young newlyweds. They danced until dawn to the songs of Edith Piaf. “Perhaps that’s why ‘La vie en rose’ remains my favorite song,” he said. In a more serious tone, he praised the entente cordiale between France and the United Kingdom, stating, “It is a lasting alliance, regardless of the future, may it continue faithfully and steadfastly for centuries.” Emmanuel Macron replied, “Despite Brexit, I know that we will continue to co-write the future of our continent, to face challenges, and to serve the causes we have in common.”
You have 54.29% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.
