Charles moved by Macron’s tribute to Queen Elizabeth II as King and Queen attend lavish star-studded banquet
King Charles was moved by Emmanuel Macron’s tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on the first day of his State Visit to France.
On Wednesday evening, the couple attended a lavish state banquet at the Palace of Versailles with President Macron and Brigitte Macron.
The King and Queen arrived at the 17th-century palace in the evening and were greeted by the President and his wife.
Queen Camilla looked stunning in a navy blue Dior outfit, accessorised with sapphire and diamond jewellery.
The King spoke movingly about his late mother Queen Elizabeth II, and her ties to France at the banquet. He took special care to highlight the “firm friendship” between the nations.
King Charles said: “Your generosity of spirit brings to mind how my family and I were so greatly moved by the tributes paid in France to my mother, the late Queen, whose funeral took place one year ago yesterday.
“Mr President, among the many profoundly moving gestures here, the flying of the Union flag at the Elysee was particularly poignant.
“Your words, at that time, meant a great deal to us too. You said that she had touched your hearts – and it was she who held France in the greatest affection, as, of course, did my grandmother Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
“My parents’ first official visit together was to France in 1948, shortly after their wedding.
“By all accounts, they made quite a splash, dancing till the early hours at the glamourous Chez Carrere in the Rue Pierre Charron, serenaded by Edith Piaf.
“I suspect it may have left an indelible impression on me, even six months before I was born – La Vie En Rose is one of my favourite songs to this day.”
The 160 guests at the dinner included a range of celebrities, such as actor Hugh Grant, singer Mick Jagger, and former football manager Arsène Wenger.
WATCH NOW: King Charles and Queen Camilla attend State Banquet
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The menu for the evening included French poultry with mushroom gratin, blue lobster and crab cake with almonds and mint, French and English cheeses, and rose-flavoured macaron with lychee cream and fresh raspberries.
After arriving in France, King Charles gifted Macron a book containing photographs of the pair together, as well as a complete edition of French philosopher Voltaire’s writings.
In return, Macron gifted the monarch a golden coin featuring Charles’s portrait, as well as a prize-winning French novel.
Charles and Camilla are visiting Paris and Bordeaux, six months after the trip had to be rescheduled because of widespread rioting across France.
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