A warm welcome and an air of friendship at start of State Visit to France

King Charles III and Queen Camilla landed in a windy but sunny Paris at the beginning of a three-day State Visit that will also take them to the city of Bordeaux. 

The strategic importance of this State Visit was highlighted by both sides even before it officially began, when President Macron posted a video of The King’s previous visits to France, when he was still the Prince of Wales, and in return Buckingham Palace’s social media accounts shared a short clip of Their Majesties boarding their flight towards the French capital with the caption: “We are so looking forward to joining you in Paris and Bordeaux, as we embark on our first State Visit as King and Queen to France, a country for which we both have the greatest love and admiration. We will celebrate the special bond between our two countries and all that your wonderful country has to offer. À bientôt France! -Charles R. and Camilla R.”

Upon their arrival at Orly Airport, King Charles and Queen Camilla were welcomed by French and diplomatic authorities, including French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, before being driven straight to Arc de Triomphe, where they received the official welcome from President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron. 

The Queen and the First Lady put on a display of closeness, when Mme Macron greeted Her Majesty with a kiss, which was the talk of many media outlets. Later on, the two ladies were seen helping each other descend the steps of the Elysée Palace. 

Following the traditional homage to fallen soldiers (the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is under the Arc de Triomphe), the first of many displays of friendship materialised in the sky, when the Patrouille de France and the Red Arrows carried out the joint colourful flight past over the monument. 

It was then time for the journey by car to the Elysée Palace. And it was here that another special moment happened: both The King and the President decided to take advantage of the open roof of their car to stand up and greet crowds. 

Once at the Presidential Palace, King Charles and President Macron held a bilateral meeting, before they left the palace again to head towards the residence of the British Ambassador to France for a tree planting ceremony. 

And it was here that another “unplanned” moment took place. The King and the President were walking the short distance between the two buildings, when they decided to stop and hold a walkabout, a clip of which was posted by President Macron with the caption: “This friendship.”

However, the highlight of the day was without a doubt the State Banquet, which, for the occasion, was held at Versailles Palace. Many notable faces were invited as guests, including actor Hugh Grant, actress Charlotte Gainsbourg, rockstar Mick Jagger and LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault. 

Both The Queen and the First Lady opted for blue outfits and accompanying sapphire and diamonds jewellery, creating a harmonious display for the many photographers that flocked to France to cover the event. 

Day two will see the King and Queen still in Paris, with His Majesty expected to address the French Senate and The Queen and Mrs Macron launching a new Franco-British literary prize at the National Library of France. 

This State Visit was supposed to have taken place in March, before the King and Queen undertook a State Visit to Germany. However, violent protests against the proposed pension reform took a hold on the streets of France, and the two heads of State decided to postpone the affair. 

This visit has the main purpose of strengthening the ties between France and Britain.