The king will later this month become the first British royal in history to address the French senate as part of a new Anglo-French charm offensive, including a glittering state banquet in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.
President Macron rolls out the red carpet for King Charles’ rescheduled state visit after his inaugural trip as monarch was canceled in June as violent protests against state pension reforms swept the host nation.
The King and Queen, aged 76 and 74, have 21 high-profile appointments in just three days, dividing their time between Paris and Bordeaux.
Chris Fitzgerald, Deputy Chief of Staff to Their Majesties, said the trip will highlight issues of mutual interest, including climate change, protecting biodiversity, strengthening security and defense ties in response to the conflict in Ukraine and recognizing exceptional cultural performance.
A senior FCO official also acknowledged that the controversial issue of cross-Channel migration inevitably took a back seat.
The King and Queen, aged 76 and 74, will complete 21 high-profile engagements in just three days, splitting their time between Paris and Bordeaux
President Macron previously met with the then Prince of Wales in London in 2020
But the king is unlikely to raise this directly with the French leader in any significant way, for fear of getting into troubled political waters.
They said, ‘This is really an absolutely massive relationship, both government to government and people to people… spanning defense, trade, migration and sustainability and the environment. ‘
He added that British diplomats had been greatly aided by the success of the King’s inaugural state visit to Germany, which continued after the French leg was cancelled.
The official revealed that Britain was already reaping “very real benefits” on areas as diverse as trade, foreign policy and cultural issues as a result of that trip, and saw the French visit as another opportunity to build a “very important relationship”. strengthen.
The King and Queen will fly to Paris on September 20 and join President and Madame Macron for a memorial ceremony and wreath-laying ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe before departing via the Champs-Élysées towards the Elysée Palace.
King Charles will have a bilateral meeting with the president, who has made no secret of his admiration for the late Queen Elizabeth, before attending a black tie banquet with Queen Camilla at the Palace of Versailles in their honor.
The king will also become the first British royal family ever invited to address senators and members of the National Assembly in the French Senate, and plans to do so in both English and French.
Meanwhile, his wife will launch an unprecedented new Franco-British literary prize at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France with Ms. Macron.
The two couples also plan to meet with community sports groups and a host of well-known sports stars to highlight the benefits sport can bring to young people as France hosts the Rugby World Cup and prepares to host the Olympics next year.
King Charles will have a bilateral meeting with the president, who has made no secret of his admiration for the late Queen Elizabeth, before attending a black-tie banquet with Queen Camilla
It was judged too unsafe for the King and Queen to visit France as the country was ravaged by violence
President Macron rolls out the red carpet for King Charles’ rescheduled state visit after his inaugural trip as monarch was canceled in June as violent protests against state pension reforms swept the host nation
President Macron was forced to await the king’s original visit earlier this year amid riots over pension reforms
In Bordeaux, chosen because it is home to such a large number of British ex-pats and is twinned with Bristol, the King and Queen will meet aid workers and communities affected by the 2022 Bordeaux bushfires and the efforts under focus on combating climate change.
The King will also meet British and French military personnel, and attend a GREAT campaign to showcase British and French businesses and members of both communities in the city.
Before flying back to Scotland, where they spent the summer, the royal couple will tour an organic vineyard that pioneers a sustainable approach to winemaking.
Mr Fitzgerald said: ‘The state visit will celebrate Britain’s relationship with France and highlight our shared history, culture and values.
“As well as speaking of the strength of Britain’s bilateral relationship with France, Their Majesty’s visit will also include engagements highlighting sustainability and the strength of community – key issues that matter to the citizens of both our countries. The visit is taking place at the request of the British government and at the invitation of the French president.’
While it comes as some surprise that the king has not visited a British Empire or Commonwealth country since his accession, Whitehall sources have made it clear that the government sees Europe as an immediate priority, especially in light of the war in Ukraine.
They are keen to use the King and Queen’s power of “soft diplomacy” to build on Britain’s strong historical ties with some of its closest neighbours.
While the cancellation of the original visit in March was a humiliating climb for President Macron, who had to admit that he could not guarantee the safe transportation of his VIP visitors and their retinue, most of the rioters made it clear that they had no problem with the British sovereign personally.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on security issues, but with the details of the couple’s program being kept secret until their arrival, it’s clear it’s mostly on their minds.