The monarch made an unprecedented speech to the French Senate, visited the reconstruction works of Notre Dame de Paris cathedral and the popular “Queen Elizabeth II” flower market. The second day of the royal visit combined political messages and symbolism.
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Received with applause from standing deputies and senators, the 74-year-old sovereign defended in his speech “renewing” the “Entente Cordiale” that 120 years ago ended centuries of conflicts between countries.
“I would like to propose that it also become an Entente for Sustainability, to more effectively face the global emergency in terms of climate and biodiversity”, added Charles III, known for his defense of the environment.
A day before the king's statement, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the postponement of several key UK climate policy measures.
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With his three-day visit to France, initially scheduled for March, Elizabeth II's successor is trying to define his own agenda, such as the fight against climate change and strengthening the Franco-British alliance.
The day before, during a dinner in his honor at the Palace of Versailles, the king made an appeal to President Emmanuel Macron for France and the United Kingdom to “revitalize” ties damaged by Britain's departure from the European Union (EU).
The alliance between the two countries is “vital” to face the “challenges” of the world, said Charles III.
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Regarding Russia’s “unjustified aggression” in Ukraine, Charles III expressed the “unwavering determination” of London and Paris for Kiev to “win.”
Royal fascination
His first visit to France as king, accompanied by his wife, Camilla, caused an unexpected stir in a country that is a symbol of republicanism but which nevertheless seems to adore British royalty.
The French press covered every step of the monarchs and thousands of people tried to see the couple in Paris.
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“Long live the king” was heard again on the streets of the capital when the royal couple visited the flower market named after 'Queen Elizabeth II' in 2014.
The memory of his mother is present throughout the trip. “The tributes paid to him throughout France have moved us immensely, both my family and me”, admitted the British monarch in the Senate.
The monarchs met again with Emmanuel Macron and his wife in front of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, a jewel of French architecture partially destroyed by a fire in 2019, to see the reconstruction work.
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Workers stopped work for a few minutes to observe the monarchs from the impressive Gothic facade.
Camilla against Brigitte
The rain did not discourage the curious who approached the National Library in the morning, visited by Camilla alongside the French first lady, Brigitte Macron.
After seeing a dress by French singer Edith Piaf and manuscripts by William Shakespeare and Victor Hugo, both presented a Franco-British literary award.
“I hope this award shows that Victor Hugo was unfair to us when he said that England had few books,” joked the queen.
The royal couple and Brigitte also visited the suburb of Saint-Denis, one of the venues for the 2024 Olympic Games.
The queen and Brigitte played a brief game of table tennis, before heading to a Chanel haute couture atelier.
In the Saint-Denis cathedral square, some Paris Saint-Germain players and their president, Nasser Al Khelaifi, handed the king a Parisian club shirt with the monarch's name on it.
The British monarch's trip will continue on Friday in Bordeaux (southwest) with an agenda more focused on the environment.
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