Buckingham Palace announced the first State Visit of King Charles III’s reign will take place at the end of March, with official visits to both France and Germany on the calendar.
Their Majesties will embark on their first State Visit between 26 and 31 March, arriving in Paris on the first day and carrying out official engagements until their departure for Germany on 29 March.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will arrive in Paris on the first day and carry out engagements in the capital city until 28 March, where they will conclude the French portion of their State Visit in Bordeaux.
Buckingham Palace released highlights of Their Majesties’ itinerary on Friday afternoon. King Charles and Queen Camilla will lay a wreath at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Birgitte Macron.
King Charles will also address the French Senate, which is housed in the Luxembourg Palace in Paris. His Majesty will speak in front of 348 Senators and other members of the National Assembly.
A glittering State Banquet will be held in honour of King Charles and Queen Camilla at the Palace of Versailles. President Macron and the First Lady will host this state event at the palace built by Louis XIV.
It was the French King’s favoured palace, and he once moved the seat of court and government to Versailles because of his personal adoration for his home.
Queen Camilla will join First Lady Macron at the Musée d’Orsay to officially open an exhibition of paintings by Édouard Manet and Edgar Degas.
In Bordeaux, King Charles will meet with emergency workers who helped battle against wildfires in the region while touring the devastation. He will also meet with Bordeaux residents affected by the disaster.
A visit to an organic vineyard is also on the itinerary, with the royal couple aiming to learn more about sustainability in wine production. The royal couple will also attend an opening event for the new British Consulate in Bordeaux and meet with UK residents living in the region as well as French locals.
After three days in France, King Charles and Queen Camilla will depart for Berlin and the second leg of their State Visit to Germany on 29 March.
