King Charles III and Queen consort Camilla embarked on their first state visit abroad since ascending the throne in September 2022, spending three days strengthening ties with the UK’s neighbor and oldest ally, France.
From a grand welcome in Paris to engagements celebrating culture, innovation, and sport, the royal couple’s historic trip highlighted the enduring friendship between the two nations.
Highlights of King Charles’ state visit to France
To kick off the historic visit, King Charles and Queen Camilla were given a spectacular welcoming ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe on Tuesday.
As the French and British national anthems played, jet planes flew over the Arc de Triomphe in red, white, and blue. The scene was a moving tribute to the long-standing alliance between the two countries.
An incredible welcome at the Arc de Triomphe to formally kick-off #RoyalVisitFrance! 🇫🇷
Invited by President @EmmanuelMacron, The King symbolically lit the eternal flame, which burns in memory of those who perished in the First and Second World Wars. pic.twitter.com/FaGIJ9a3xv
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 20, 2023
Charles III then laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as cannons fired in salute.
Together with President Emmanuel Macron, he rekindled the Eternal Flame in honor of the fallen soldiers. The somber ceremony marked a century of shared sacrifice since the First World War.
That evening, Charles and Camilla were guests of honor at a sumptuous state banquet held in the opulent Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles. There they dined with the French president, his wife Brigitte Macron, and 200 other guests.
In a speech delivered largely in French, the King celebrated the “enduring friendship” between the two nations and paid tribute to previous monarchs, such as Queen Elizabeth II, who fostered that bond.
The following day, King Charles made history by addressing the French Senate. He was the first British monarch to address French parliamentarians in the Senate Chamber. Praising the friendship and values shared by the United Kingdom and France, the King called them vital to the future of the two countries and the world.
“As neighbours, friends, partners and allies, there is no challenge to which we cannot rise, as we have done so often in the past.”
The King speaking from the chamber of the @Senat this morning.#RoyalVisitFrance#VisiteRoyale pic.twitter.com/eWQYk9YIY7— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 21, 2023
Meanwhile, Queen Camilla joined Madame Macron at the National Library of France. On the occasion of the launch of a new UK-France literary prize for authors of young adult fiction: ‘The Entente Littéraire Prize’.
Later, in Saint-Denis, the royal couple saw first-hand how sport can bring communities together. There they met with young people and local stars ahead of France’s hosting of the 2023 Rugby World Cup and 2024 Olympic Games.
Continuing their interest in culture, Charles and Camilla visited Chanel partner 19M design campus. They watched as young apprentices mastered traditional French haute couture techniques, such as embroidery.
No trip to Paris would be complete without paying homage to the city’s famous florists. At the Queen Elizabeth II Flower Market, named after Charles’ late mother, the King and Queen Camilla met with local florists.
The second day ended at the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, still undergoing restoration after a devastating fire in 2019. Outside, Charles and Camilla observed the work of craftsmen preserving the historic Gothic structure.
On the third day, the royal couple first commemorated the ancient twinning between that city and Bristol, England. At Bordeaux City Hall, they applauded the initiatives that bring the historic port cities closer together.
Charles and Camilla then attended a reception aboard the British Royal Navy ship HMS Iron Duke, anchored nearby. After meeting with crew members, they highlighted the defense cooperation that enables the allies to protect common interests at sea.
The King and Queen took a tour of the old town of Bordeaux, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The cities of Bordeaux and Bristol have been twinned since 1947, the first UK-France city twinning of its kind.
In celebration of the longstanding relationship of the UK with this city, The King and Queen were hosted by the Mayor of Bordeaux at Hotel de Ville. #RoyalVisitFrance pic.twitter.com/0AjR95dC4O
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 22, 2023
They attended musical performances at the Place de la Bourse and sampled regional foods, drinks, and innovations.
Breaking briefly, Charles III visited a forestry area where fire prevention and land use techniques were being developed.
The Queen visited a local charity that provides subsidized food and family services to the needy.
To cap off their trip to France, the royal couple visited the acclaimed Château Smith Haut Lafitte vineyard to learn sustainable winemaking practices.
Merci à tous ceux qui sont venus nous saluer!
Thank you to everyone who stepped out to say hello! #RoyalVisitFrance #VisiteRoyale pic.twitter.com/jwYTOfni0U
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 21, 2023
From honoring shared wartime sacrifice to celebrating youth and culture, King Charles and Queen Camilla’s state visit highlighted the vitality of British-French ties. This historic trip marks the beginning of a new diplomatic era.