Politicians may view King Charles’ royal visit to France, which takes place from Wednesday to Friday, as an opportunity to mend fences between the two nations, but some Parisians claimed they were unimpressed and missed the glitz of the late Queen Elizabeth.
A formal feast in the magnificent Versailles palace will feature blue lobster, Bresse French fowl, and a variety of French and English cheeses, with the 74-year-old king and his wife Queen Camilla as guests of honor.
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According to authorities, Charles, who speaks fluent French like his mother, is eager to follow in her footsteps and is sure to mention the late queen’s intense love for France during the visit.
Parisians, though, were dubious.
As part of the visit, Charles and Camilla will drive down the Champs-Elysees and view restoration works at the Notre Dame Cathedral following a massive blaze in 2019 that destroyed its roof.
There will be a wreath laying at the Arc de Triomphe, with France’s Patrouille acrobatic and Britain’s Red Arrows, the aerobatics display teams of both nations’ air forces, conducting a flypast at the start of the trip in celebration of the countries’ shared history and values.
The trip is also a chance to rebuild ties that have been frayed by Britain’s chaotic exit from the EU in 2020.
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