Charles III’s visit to France: “Let us strengthen our cooperation in the face of today’s challenges,” the king urges

Historical anecdotes, references to Queen Elizabeth II, climate action, sports photos… Charles III and Emmanuel Macron conveyed a message of Franco-British “friendship” focused on the “future” during a luxurious dinner at the Palace of Versailles. , the highlight of the king’s visit to France, which began Wednesday with a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe and a short swim.

This three-day visit to France, the first since the coronation of the monarch, “is a sign of friendship and trust” and is seen “as a tribute to our past and as a guarantee of the future,” the French President confirmed at the opening of the visit. food.

Moments later, Charles III addressed the crowd with his traditional toast, juggling between French, which he speaks fluently, and English. “We must all revive our friendship so that it can face the challenges of the 21st century,” he told President Macron, calling for a “renewal” of the Entente Cordiale, or consensus. the anniversary will be celebrated in April next year.

How often the sovereign insisted on the problems of climate change, “this scourge,” but also on the “defense of Ukraine.” The French head of state did not forget to mention Brexit, assuring that “despite” this exit from the European Union, “we will continue to write together part of the future of our continent in order to confront the challenges and serve the goals that we have.” together.”

Blue lobster, Bresse bird and prestigious guests

The heads of the two states did not forget to use humor, talking either about sports or historical anecdotes. “The French have wine, the English have humor,” said the sovereign.

At the table, Emmanuel Macron sat between Charles and Camilla (Brigitte Macron sat to the right of the king), leading a table of prestigious guests, from the legendary Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger to actor Hugh Grant, actress Charlotte Gainsbourg or the head of the luxury group LVMH Bernard Arnault.

On the menu: blue lobster, Bresse poultry and pink macaroons, prepared by star chefs and served in Sèvres porcelain. The king, who is aiming to establish his international image a year after his accession to the throne, will begin the most political part of his visit on Thursday with a speech on the Senate floor, the first for a British monarch.

He will also highlight a topic close to his heart – the environment – during a roundtable on global warming he will close with President Macron at the National Museum of Natural History and then on Friday in Bordeaux, in a region hit hard by the fires. in 2022 and which has a large British population.