Emmanuel Macron : “So Proud.”

Sep 22, 2023

Vive le Roi ! France Has Welcomed King Charles as though Brexit Never Happened

GUARDIAN – EUROPE: Such a warm and touchy-feely state visit should remind both nations of the closeness they once shared – and could do again

This is what you call taking a country by storm. King Charles and Queen Camilla’s state visit to Paris and then Bordeaux was always going to be a feast of bons mots and cordiality. Such is the rule of this diplomatic game. However, on a Richter scale of affability, Britain and France’s heads of state scored high. After all, France was one of the countries Queen Elizabeth II most visited during her long reign, and where she enjoyed five state visits. The affection runs deep.

If there ever was a rule that said one should not touch the monarch, that rule died in the streets of Paris on Wednesday afternoon. Or perhaps, a new rule was born: only a French president can touch the British sovereign. They didn’t go as far as their wives, who were on cheek-kissing terms at first sight, but Emmanuel Macron and the king were very often seen touching each other’s backs and arms during the couple of days they spent together. This didn’t feel like misplaced familiarity, but rather warm affinity between the two men. A most welcome change after the disastrous Boris Johnson and Liz Truss episodes, which saw the bilateral relationship between our governments sink deeper and deeper. (+ videos) » | Agnès Poirier | Friday, September 22, 2023

Stars Join King Charles at Versailles Banquet during French State Visit

THE GUARDIAN: Trip designed in part as show of friendship to reset UK-French relationship after Brexit years

Queen Camilla and King Charles with Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron at the Palace of Versailles on Wednesday evening. Photograph: Stéphane Cardinale/Corbis/Getty Images
King Charles was welcomed at a lavish state banquet at the Palace of Versailles on Wednesday night, at the start of a state visit to reinforce the renewed UK-France relationship after the near total collapse in trust during the Boris Johnson years after Brexit.

In Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors, the famed 17th-century gallery built by the Sun King Louis XIV to project the power and majesty of the French monarchy, King Charles told the French president, Emmanuel Macron: “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 … You said that she had touched your hearts – and it was she who held France in the greatest affection.”

He added: “I would like, if you would allow me, to raise a toast to President and Madame Macron and to the French people, as well as to our entente cordiale – a sustainable alliance. Whatever lies ahead, may it endure, faithful and constant, for centuries to come.” He was accompanied by Queen Camilla, who wore a blue silk crepe dress and matching cape by Dior, with diamonds inherited from the late Queen. » | Angelique Chrisafis in Versailles | Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Rapport to the Fore as King Charles and Macron Rebuild Cross-Channel Trust

THE GUARDIAN: State visit by British monarch to Versailles and Bordeaux offers chance to further reset UK-French relations

King Charles and Emmanuel Macron, pictured here at Cop26 in November 2021, are said to have a relationship built on ‘friendship and trust’. Photograph: Reuters
Emmanuel Macron and King Charles will dine on lobster at the Palace of Versailles on Wednesday night in a three-day state visit by the British monarch, marking a crucial reset of the UK-French relationship after the near-total collapse in trust of the Boris Johnson years.

At a one-to-one discussion at the Élysée Palace, the king and the French president will discuss the war in Ukraine, military coups in the Sahel region of Africa and the challenges of artificial intelligence.

During his visit, the king will also address French lawmakers at the Senate, view restoration work at Notre Dame Cathedral, meet business leaders to discuss biodiversity at the Museum of Natural History and travel to Bordeaux, where he will meet emergency workers and communities affected by the 2022 wildfires. Queen Camilla and Brigitte Macron will launch a new annual Franco-British literary prize, to be awarded from 2024. » | Angelique Chrisafis | Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Première visite en France du roi Charles III et de la reine Camilla : trois jours pour mettre en scène l’amitié franco-britannique : Après un projet de visite en mars, reporté à cause des manifestations contre la réforme des retraites, le roi et la reine britanniques seront en France de mercredi à vendredi. De Notre-Dame de Paris au Sénat, en passant par les vignobles du Bordelais, leur programme a été largement calqué sur celui de leur visite initialement prévue. »

« La visite de Charles III est le signe que Londres souhaite renforcer le lien avec la France » : Décidée par le premier ministre, la venue du monarque dans l’Hexagone montre que Rishi Sunak souhaite rompre avec la politique des précédentes administrations britanniques, affirme Stephen Bates, journaliste spécialiste des affaires royales, dans une tribune au « Monde ». »

EN DIRECT - Visite de Charles III : menu, vins, cadeaux... Le programme de la soirée à Versailles : La venue du roi britannique sera marquée par un somptueux dîner d’État donné ce mercredi au château de Versailles, mobilisant trois grands chefs français. »

Lien lié à cette histoire ici.

King Charles III Set to Begin Postponed State Visit to France • FRANCE 24 English

Sep 20, 2023 | Charles III finally makes it across the Channel from Britain to France this week, six months after rioting and strikes forced the last-minute postponement of his first state visit as king.

King Charles Praises Ukraine Support on State Visit to Germany

Read the article here.

What's behind China's Focus on the Arab World? | DW News

Dec 9, 2022 | Chinese President Xi Jinping has met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on a "pioneering trip" to "open a new era of China's relations with the Arab world' - in Xi's own words. The visit is Xi's first to the kingdom in six years. The two countries affirmed their ties and signed a series of strategic deals - including one with tech giant Huawei. The Chinese leader is expected to meet more Gulf oil producers later.

Un article lié à cette vidéo ici.

Emmanuel Macron Calls His State Visit to D.C. a Success | 60 Minutes

Dec 5, 2022 | French President Emmanuel Macron called his state visit to Washington, D.C., a success, highlighting “total alignment” on the war in Ukraine and a fruitful discussion on the side effects of the Inflation Reduction Act.

Queen in Persia | 1961

Queen Elizabeth II: Speech - Bellevue / Germany 2015

Rejected Trump Cancels State Visit to Denmark | DW News

US President Donald Trump has canceled an official state visit to Denmark because the Danish prime minister has refused to consider selling Greenland to the US, describing the proposal as "absurd". Greenland is an autonomous Danish territory rich in natural resources - and is also the world's biggest island, strategically located between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans.

Trump Cancels Denmark Trip as Greenland Says It’s Not for Sale

The Danish Prime Minister says she is "annoyed" that Donald Trump has cancelled his state visit to Denmark, after he was told that Greenland is not for sale.

Mette Fredriksen said the US is still a close ally, but last week described President Trump's proposal as "absurd". Today he said the Prime Minister's comment was "nasty".


THE GUARDIAN: Greenlanders on Trump: ‘We are neither for sale nor can be bought’ »

THE GUARDIAN: The Guardian view on Trump and Greenland: no sale » | Editorial

Has North Korea Won Vital China Support Before the Trump Summit? | Inside Story

China has reminded the world it has a crucial role in any nuclear bomb and missile talks before Kim Jong Un's planned summits with both the South Korean and American Presidents. The North Korean leader's secretive talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing — which were not confirmed until he returned home — appear aimed at improving the leverage of both countries.

Ties between the long-time allies frayed recently as China supported tougher UN sanctions on North Korea and suspended coal and iron ore imports. Over the past couple of days in Beijing, it's all smiles and friendly handshakes.

Presenter: Elizabeth Puranam | Guests: Chad O'Carroll - Director of news site NK News; Einar Tangen - Chinese government adviser; Karl Friedhoff - Chicago Council on Global Affairs

State Banquet at Buckingham Palace for the Spanish State Visit

MPs Pour Scorn on 'Racist and Sexist' Donald Trump in State Visit Debate

Parliament holds three-hour debate over whether US president’s invitation should be revoked after 1.8m sign petition against visit

Read the Guardian article here

Theresa May Confirms Trump State Visit Despite Travel Ban Protests

Should Donald Trump's State Visit to the UK Go Ahead? - BBC Newsnight

The Queen in Paris: Flower Market Honour for Her Majesty

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Queen visits Parisian flower market named Marche [sic] aux Fleurs - Reine Elizabeth II in her honour


The Queen was paid the ultimate compliment by the people of Paris on Saturday when a flower market was named after her to reflect the “enormous affection” the French have for her.

In the city that executed France’s own monarch in 1793, the unlikely cry of “Long Live the Queen!” echoed around what is now known as the Queen Elizabeth II Flower Market.

Her Majesty received the honour from the city’s Mayor, Anne Hidalgo, on the final day of her State visit to France.

“This reflects the enormous affection of Parisians,” said Ms Hidalgo.

“It gives me great joy to give this lovely flower market your name.”

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were clearly moved by Ms Hidalgo’s gesture in the square near Notre Dame Cathedral.

Despite the excited crowds cheering on the Queen, who was dressed in light pink dress and hat, not everybody was happy about the new name of Marche [sic] aux Fleurs - Reine Elizabeth II. » | Gordon Rayner, Chief Reporter | Saturday, June 07, 2014

D-Day Anniversary: Queen 'Stirred' by Commemorations

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Queen speaks of her pride in the courage of the Allied forces who invaded Europe on D-Day - but warns peace and prosperity can never be taken for granted


On the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings the Queen travelled to the French coast with the Duke of Edinburgh, and spent the day with other heads of state honouring the actions of veterans and their fallen comrades.

Later at a banquet to mark her three-day state visit to France, the monarch described how the day's commemorations had left Philip and herself "filled with emotions".

She added: "With sorrow and regret, remembering the loss of so many fine young soldiers, sailors and airmen; with pride, at the sheer courage of the men who stormed those beaches, embodied in the veterans among us; and with thankfulness, knowing that today our nations are free and sovereign because allied forces liberated this continent from occupation and tyranny. » | Friday, June 06, 2014

Hollande Given Warm US Welcome amid Questions of a New 'relation spéciale'

US president Barack Obama and French president François
Hollande during a welcoming ceremony at the White House

THE GUARDIAN: Journalists ask Obama whether Britain is out as main object of American affection during press conference with French leader

The nuance may have been lost in translation, but there was no mistaking the diplomatic love-in that came to rescue of beleaguered French president François Hollande on his state visit to Washington.

So warm was the welcome by a US president still grateful for support over Syria, that one French journalist asked whether l’Hexagone had now replaced Britain as the main object of American affection.

“I have two daughters who are both gorgeous and wonderful, and that’s how I feel about my outstanding European partners,” replied a flustered Obama, still trying out his pronunciation of President “Hoolong”.

Sensing diplomatic triumph, and possible German envy, Hollande quickly replied that he had four children, before reminding his hosts that the British had once sought to hang American revolutionaries from the nearest rope.

Not even American jokes about the awkwardness of earlier French exchange trips could temper the “rapprochement” during their hour-long joint press conference. Read on and comment » | Dan Roberts in Washington |Tuesday, February 11, 2014

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Barack Obama refuses to say whether France has overtaken Britain as America's closest ally: I can no more pick between Paris and London than I can pick between Malia and Sasha, says president » | Raf Sanchez, Washington | Tuesday, February 11, 2014