ParisCNN –
King Charles III On Thursday, he became the first British monarch to deliver a speech in the French Senate praising the “indispensable relationship” between the United Kingdom and its neighbor, which he said was “stronger than ever.”
Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, are on a three-day state tour to France, visiting Paris and Bordeaux, which ends on Friday. The tour was originally scheduled for March but was postponed due to widespread demonstrations against President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform.
The 74-year-old sovereign was greeted with enthusiasm in the hall and received a standing ovation from parliamentarians when he entered. When his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, visited in 2004, she gave her speech in the adjacent Salle des Conferences.
Charles promised that he would seek to strengthen Anglo-French relations “for the time granted to me as king,” adding that “our potential together is limitless.”
The king – whose speech came 231 years to the day after France abolished its own monarchy and established a republic – spoke of being “flattered” by the two presidents of the two chambers that make up the French parliament to have been invited to give a speech.
During his address, he reserved some of his harshest words to rebuke Russia’s invasion of Ukraine while urging further action to address the climate crisis.
“Now, more than 80 years after we fought side by side for the liberation of Europe, we are once again faced with unprovoked aggression on our continent,” Charles told MPs at the Palais du Luxembourg, home to the French Senate.
“Our alliance and our resolve are as important as ever. Together we stand in resolute solidarity with the Ukrainian people. Together, we firmly believe that Ukraine will prevail and that our cherished freedoms will prevail.”
He continued: “These terrible events have shown once again how fragile so much of what we hold dear is.” Just as we stand together against military aggression, we must also strive together to save the world from our most existential challenge of all to protect – global warming, climate change and the catastrophic destruction of nature.”
During his speech, Charles deftly switched between French and English. His joke warned of “low blows” but wished “may the best man win” as France hosts the men’s Rugby World Cup, prompting laughter from across the room.
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The monarch told French senators and members of the National Assembly that “the United Kingdom will always remain one of France’s closest allies and best friends.”
He was previously welcomed at the Palais du Luxembourg by the presidents of the Senate and the National Assembly before meeting representatives of both chambers of the French Parliament and signing a guest book in the Salle des Conferences.
Across the Seine, Queen Camilla was at the Bibliotheque Nationale de France, the national library, where she and the French president’s wife, Brigitte Macron, launched a new Franco-British literary prize.
Camilla apologized for her “somewhat rusty French” but said it was a “huge pleasure” to start the Prix de l’Entente Litteraire together.
She added that she and the French first lady shared a “deep love of literature and a passion for promoting literacy.” She said they both saw firsthand how books can change lives and “bring us joy, comfort, companionship, laughter and tears, open our eyes to the experiences of others and remind us that we are not alone.”
Charles and Camilla then reunited in Saint-Denis, a northern suburb of Paris, where they met top athletes and met community sports groups at an event highlighting the benefits of sport for young people.
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Queen Camilla plays table tennis during a visit to France’s national stadium and venue for next year’s Olympic Games.
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Queen Camilla gives a speech alongside French President Brigitte Macron’s wife at the National Library in Paris.
Their next stop was a flower market in central Paris named after Queen Elizabeth II, before heading to Notre Dame Cathedral, where restoration work following a devastating fire in 2019 is due to be completed next year. They rounded End the day with a reception on sustainability at the Natural History Museum.
Wednesday, the first day of the trip, was all about symbolism and pageantry, with a highly formal welcome at Paris’ Arc de Triomphe, a procession along the famous Champs-Élysées and talks at the presidential palace.
Macron later posted a video on X, formerly known as Twitter, showing the two leaders walking between the Elysee Palace and the British ambassador’s nearby residence. In the short clip, the pair greeted the throngs of well-wishers lining the streets and chanted “Vive le Roi” – or “Long live the king.”
That evening, Charles and Camilla were guests of honor at an extravagant state banquet at the Palace of Versailles on the outskirts of the capital.
Actors Hugh Grant, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Emma Mackey, as well as Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger and former French football manager Arsène Wenger were among the famous faces who lent their star power to the glamorous evening wear.
Up to 180 guests dined in the gilded Hall of Mirrors of the former royal residence, which was run by the French King Ludwig
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Queen Camilla and King Charles III are welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron to a state dinner in Versailles on September 20, 2023.
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British King Charles with French First Lady Brigitte Macron on Wednesday at the Palace of Versailles, west of Paris.
The rescheduled royal trip – which comes at the request of the British government and at the invitation of the French – is seen as a gentle continuation of the UK’s efforts to revitalize Anglo-French relations.
It follows British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s trip to Paris earlier this year for a bilateral summit aimed at improving relations that have been strained since Brexit.