For his first state trip as king, Charles III chose France. The sovereign and his wife, Queen Consort Camilla, will be in France from March 26 to 29.
A strong gesture, reminiscent of that of his mother. In 1948, Princess Elisabeth made her first visit outside the United Kingdom to Paris. His son, Charles III decided to imitate him. With his wife, Queen Consort Camilla, the King will make an official trip to France at the end of March. It will be the king’s first-ever state trip since he ascended the throne last September, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Charles III and his wife will be in Paris from Sunday March 26 to Wednesday March 29, with a return trip to Bordeaux scheduled for Tuesday March 28.
Emmanuel Macron had launched an invitation to Charles III last September, at the time of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth. “I had the opportunity to invite King Charles to come to France when it is appropriate for him,” said the President of the Republic on September 16. For his very first state visit as king, Charles III therefore chose to highlight Franco-British friendship. A visit all the more symbolic as it takes place at a time when relations between France and the United Kingdom are heating up with the arrival of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the Élysée, this Friday, March 10.
Many events announced near Paris
Charles III, and his wife, will pass through Paris, to find the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron there. A commemoration ceremony and wreath laying at the Arc de Triomphe with the Head of State and his wife, Brigitte Macron is planned, followed by a speech by Charles III to senators and deputies, which will take place in the Senate. The king will also participate in the inauguration of the new Manet and Degas exhibition at the Musée d’Orsay, in the presence of the first lady. Finally, a state banquet at the Palace of Versailles must be organized.
“The visit will celebrate the UK’s relationship with France, highlighting our history, culture and shared values,” the statement read. “It will also be an opportunity to look to the future and show the many ways the UK is working in partnership with these countries, whether to fight climate change, respond to the conflict in Ukraine, seize the trade and investment opportunities or sharing the best of our arts and culture.”
A trip to Gironde on the theme of ecology
After Paris, the royal couple will leave for the south-west of France. A stage in Gironde, Tuesday March 28, was announced with a trip near Bordeaux to observe the damage caused by the forest fires last summer. The royal couple will also attend the opening of the British consulate in Bordeaux and will meet members of the French and British communities before visiting an organic vineyard.
Many themes will be honored during this trip to the south-west of France: the presence of English nationals in Gironde, the damage caused by global warming and ecology. A final theme dear to King Charles III who stood out in the 1970s for his positions in favor of the environment.