ALETIHAD STAFF (PARIS)
King Charles III arrived in France yesterday for a three-day state visit, a rescheduled trip aimed at showing that the fundamentals of the cross-Channel alliance are strong.
The trip was initially planned for March, making it Charles’ first state visit abroad since becoming the monarch after the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II. However, it was delayed due to widespread riots and strikes across France caused by pension reforms.
The king and his wife Queen Camilla were welcomed at Paris Orly airport by Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, an AFP correspondent said.
Charles and Macron took the time to shake hands and speak with guests after the Arc de Triomphe ceremony, before driving down the Champs-Elysees avenue - with the pair in one car and their wives in another - escorted by two squadrons of the mounted regiment of the Garde Republicaine.
Briefly standing up through the open roof of the car, Charles and Macron waved at the crowd, after which they were seen chatting in the car.
The French president, who has dealt with four UK premiers over the last half-decade during a period of political turbulence in Britain, is known to have a strong personal rapport with Charles.
Many of the engagements on the trip reflect Charles’ lifelong interest in environment, sustainability, and biodiversity, as well as promoting young entrepreneurs and community.
Throughout the visit, there were reminders of the late Queen, a French-speaking francophile who made five state visits to France during her record-breaking 70-year reign.
The Arc de Triomphe was the location for her ceremonial arrival on her last state visit back in 2014.
During the first visit in 1957, she had lunch with president Rene Coty at Versailles’ the Hall of Mirrors. Charles on Thursday addresses lawmakers in the French Senate, following in the footsteps of his mother who did the same in 2004.