Britain’s King Charles III begins a long-awaited state visit to Paris on Wednesday, the 20th of September, aimed at commemorating the long-standing relationship between France and the United Kingdom while promoting cooperation between the two countries after Brexit, reports Politico.
The three-day visit from the 20th-22nd of September was originally planned as Charles’ first overseas visit as a monarch but was postponed in March due to social unrest in France.
The visit can be expected to be an elaborate event,
with French President Emmanuel Macron making considerable efforts to impress the royal guest.
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… pic.twitter.com/oEsUDIw0gh
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 20, 2023
On Wednesday, the 20th of September, after King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive in Paris, they will meet President Macron and his wife Brigitte and attend a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, followed by talks at the Elysée Palace. Later in the evening, the British monarch couple will attend a banquet dinner at the luxurious Palace of Versailles, where the guest list includes politicians, businessmen and celebrities such as Hugh Grant, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and footballer Didier Drogba.
On Thursday, the 21st of September, King Charles will address the French Senate and visit various monuments in Paris, including the renovation of Notre-Dame Cathedral. He will also visit the flower market named after Queen Elizabeth II. Given his fluency in French,
the King is expected to deliver at least part of his speech in French.
On Friday, the 22nd of September, King Charles will travel to the port city of Bordeaux, where his itinerary includes a visit to the British ship HMS Iron Duke, an organic vineyard, and an urban forest.
According to an adviser to the Elysée, King Charles and French President Emmanuel Macron have a close relationship characterised by “friendship and trust”. During their meeting, they are expected to address issues such as tensions in North Africa, the ongoing war in Ukraine and developments in the field of AI.
It is noteworthy that relations between France and the UK have improved considerably under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Recent agreements and diplomatic efforts have played a crucial role in re-establishing relations between the two countries.
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