Charles spoke fluently in French during parts of the first-ever address by a British monarch from inside the chamber of the country’s parliament in Paris.
The monarch made a “pledge to do whatever I can to strengthen the indispensable relationship between the UK and France”.
Concluding his address, he drew on the climate change causes that have long been close to his heart, as he urged the assembled politicians and dignitaries to “cherish and nurture our Entente Cordiale”, the landmark treaty of 1904 that helped thaw cross-Channel relations. The King continued: “Let us renew it for future generations so that, I would like to propose, it also becomes Entente pour la Durabilite - a partnership for sustainability - in order to tackle the global climate and biodiversity emergency more effectively.”
Elizabeth II addressed the French Senate in 2004, but she did so from the Salle des Conferences, which adjoins the main chamber.
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