June 2014. Queen Elizabeth II visits Paris Flower Market, Paris, on the final day of a three-day state visit.
The announcement of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s visit to the French capital planned for March 17-18 will be an early sight of TRH’s role as ‘post-Brexit’ goodwill ambassadors. With the British government due to trigger the much discussed Article 50 at the end of March, keeping good relations with the UK’s neighbours has taken on a new importance.
July 2016. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry are met by President Hollande of France during the Somme centenary commemorations.
The visit is at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the itinerary will include a reception for young French leaders from a variety of fields, a formal dinner at the residence of the British Ambassador and attendance at the Wales v France Six Nations test at the Stade de France. British monarchs visiting France to smooth over politically tricky periods is nothing new. A landmark visit was made by King Edward VII in May 1903 prior to the signing of the ‘Entente Cordiale’. Ever since the royal touch has periodically been called on to refresh a long-standing but complex national friendship.
A portrait of King Edward VII (1841-1910) whose diplomatic skills helped reset Anglo-French relations.
