The President of France holds a dinner at the Palace of Versailles in honor of King Charles III and Queen Camilla
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte held, on Wednesday evening, an official dinner banquet for King Charles III of Britain and his wife Queen Camilla at the Palace of Versailles, on the occasion of their visit to France;
Macron with King Charles and Queen Camilla in France - Source: France 24
Pieces of military music were played as the British king, surrounded by Republican Guards, entered the Palace of Versailles, an important stop in the British king’s program during his visit to emphasize the depth of the friendly relations between the two countries.
Diplomatic figures at President Macron’s dinner
A large number of French and British senior political, diplomatic and artistic figures have just flocked, with the list of invitees gathering more than 160 guests from public and political figures such as Prime Minister Elizabeth Bourne and a number of senior French government officials.
Paris turned out for King Charles, look at the smiles!
— Prince & Princess of Wales 𝕏 (@TribesBritannia) September 20, 2023
The list of invitees also included many athletes and artistic figures such as the famous British actor Hugh Grant and the British singer Mick Jagger.
Charlotte Ginsburg among the guests
Also invited guests include French-British actress Charlotte Ginsburg and former football coach Arsene Wenger.
Wednesday’s dinner brings back memories of Charles’ mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away last year and was previously invited to a luncheon at the same lavish palace in 1957 and returned to Versailles in 1972.
The Elysee confirmed that King Charles III was keen on the idea of “following in his mother’s footsteps”. Thursday will also visit the flower market, which Elizabeth II loved and renamed after her in 2014.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived at the Palace of Versailles State Banquet pic.twitter.com/XayslGxvY2
— Jerseydeanne (@jerseydeanne) September 20, 2023
The King Charles and his wife had arrived in France this afternoon and were received at Orly airport by French Prime Minister Elizabeth Bourne, who welcomed the two guests to France, a visit that was scheduled for last March, but it was postponed against the backdrop of protests that were taking place in France at the time against the law reforming the pension system.
Then King Charles III went to the “Arc de Triomphe” famous monument in the center of the French capital, Paris, upon his arrival in France, and was received by Queen Camilla at the “Arc de Triomphe” French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte, where the official ceremony began to receive the British monarch lighting the flame of the unknown soldier and was placed a wreath, and the national anthem of the two countries and pieces of military music, before crossing the Champs-Elysees Avenue surrounded by the guard and cavalry of the Republican Guard.
Elysee welcomes visit to King Charles
The Elysee welcomed – in a statement – this visit, which “constitutes an honor for France and illustrates the depth of the historical relations that unite the two countries,” and reflects the relations of friendship and trust between French President Emmanuel Macron and King Charles, as well as their cooperation on several topics, including biodiversity and the fight against global warming, topics that have witnessed joint and close cooperation between the two countries over the past years.
Buckingham Palace also stressed that “the visit celebrates the history, culture and shared values of the UK and France” and underlined the strength of their relations.
