PARIS: In a symbolic move, King Charles III followed in the footsteps of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, by addressing lawmakers in the French upper chamber of parliament, the Senate, today (Thursday), the second day of his state visit to France.
The visit has been marked by calls for stronger ties between the two nations.
During a lavish state banquet held the previous evening, King Charles issued a call for France and the UK to reinvigorate their relations, sentiments that were echoed by French President Emmanuel Macron. King Charles emphasized the importance of renewing their friendship for the challenges of the 21st century.
President Macron, despite acknowledging the complexities brought about by Brexit, expressed his belief in continuing to shape the future of Europe together and working toward common causes.
While acknowledging historical complexities, King Charles painted an optimistic vision of the Entente Cordiale, a pact between the two nations established in 1904, describing it as a “sustainable alliance.”
ALSO READ: King Charles III Welcomed in France for First Visit as Monarch
King Charles’s address at the Senate represents a diplomatic high point in an otherwise informal day. He later visited the northern Parisian suburb of Saint-Denis, where he interacted with residents and sports stars. His visit also included a stop at a flower market named after Queen Elizabeth II, a tour of the Notre-Dame Cathedral to inspect renovation and reconstruction efforts following a devastating fire in 2019, and a formal farewell from President Macron at the Elysee Palace.
This state visit, originally scheduled for March but rescheduled due to mass protests against French pension reforms, aims to showcase King Charles’s stature as a statesman, particularly in the wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing just over a year ago.
The visit, characterized by ceremony and pomp, is a testament to the enduring Franco-British relationship, despite the history of the French Revolution and the abolition of the monarchy. On the preceding day, King Charles and President Macron were seen sharing friendly conversations and strolling down the Champs-Elysees, where they greeted well-wishers.
Both leaders share a love for books, and as a token of their personal rapport, exchanged literary gifts during their meeting. Macron presented King Charles with a book by the 20th-century French writer Romain Gary, while King Charles received a special edition of Voltaire’s “Lettres sur les Anglais” (“Letters on the English”).
