Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla took part in a banquet at the Palace of Versailles on Wednesday (September 20) with French President Emmanuel Macron, his wife Brigitte and numerous prominent guests.
The king and his wife, were the guests of honour at a state dinner in the 17th-century Versailles palace.
Before the meal cooked by famous French chefs, the French leader and the British monarch both held toasts, praising the two countries friendship and shared history.
"Despite Brexit and because our ties are so old, I know that we will continue to write together part of our continent's history," Macron said in a toast.
(SOUNDBITEs in French)
FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING:
“That you have chosen to visit France in these very first months of your reign is a sign of friendship and trust that we measure at its fair value and which touches us deeply, both as a tribute to our past and as a pledge for the future. It was difficult to receive you anywhere other than here in this setting of which the Grand Siecle (Great Century, the 17th century) had made a temple of the arts and of which the Republic made a temple of diplomatic friendship.”
“In Your Majesty's honour, Her Majesty Queen Camilla, as well as your family, I raise it (the glass) in honour of the United Kingdom, of the Entente Cordiale which unites our two brother peoples in an unfailing alliance. Long live the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Long live Franco-British friendship.“
In an address during his first state visit to France, Britain’s King, Charles III expressed his delight and gratitude for the warm welcome received.
"Your generosity reminds us that my family and I were very moved by the tributes paid in France to my mother, whose funeral took place a year ago." King Charles III added
BRITAIN’S KING, CHARLES III:
“I cannot tell you how delighted my wife and I are to be with you this evening, at the end of the first day of our first state visit to France. And how touched we are by the magnificent welcome that was given to us.”
“Once again, France and the French people have shown us a warm welcome and deep kindness, and we are very grateful. Your generosity reminds us that my family and I were very moved by the tributes paid in France to my mother, whose funeral took place a year ago.”
“I would therefore like, if you allow me, to raise a toast to Mr. President, Ms. Macron and the French people, as well as to our Entente Cordiale, and agreement for sustainable development. May it last, faithful and constant, throughout the centuries that await us against all obstacles."
More than 150 guests were invited to the banquet at the sumptuous palace, including British actor Hugh Grant, rock star Mick Jagger, French billionaire Bernard Arnault and former Arsenal football coach Arsene Wenger.
On the menu of the dinner were blue lobster and a selection of French and English cheeses.
Three-Michelin-star chef Yannick Alleno, responsible for preparing the main course for the royal dinner, discussed the culinary challenges faced.
THREE-MICHELIN-STAR CHEF WHO COOKED MAIN COURSE, YANNICK ALLENO:
"The constraints are dietary indications of what the King can enjoy. So (chef) Anne-Sophie (Pic) made a starter with lobster and crab. I made poultry with mushrooms, porcini mushrooms. I've been praying all week for a little storm to give us mushrooms, because it's still quite dry at the moment and I've been heard. We has a nice surge of porcini mushrooms this last week."
Earlier, Charles and Camilla were greeted on arrival at Paris' Orly airport by French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, before heading to a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, where they paid tribute to French and British soldiers who died in two world wars.
They then drove down the Champs-Elysees avenue in a French DS car, waving at the thin crowds that had gathered along the tree-lined boulevard. At one point, Charles and Macron stood up through the open roof of the car to wave.
The visit comes as French and British citizens feel the pinch of inflation at multi-decade highs, and the dinner at the sumptuous Palace of Versailles, a symbol of privilege, has been criticized by some as insensitive.
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