UK's King Charles III and Queen Camilla's First State Visit to France

Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla made a state visit to France on September 20 to September 22, 2023. Their second state visit in the reign of King Charles, after Germany.

Buckingham Palace stated that King Charles III and Queen Camilla will visit Paris and Bordeaux to celebrate the bond between the UK and France.

Their Majesties' arrival in France. Photo credit: PA Media

On September 20, King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived at Orly airport near Paris and were greeted by French Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne. They then proceeded to the Arch de Triomphe for a welcome ceremony and were greeted by French President, Emmanuel Macron, and his wife, Brigitte. 

King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive in France

During the ceremonial welcome, King Charles symbolically lit the eternal flame using the Comite de la Flamme passed to him by President Macron. It symbolized the burning in memory of those who perished in the First and Second World Wars.

During the ceremony, the French Air Force elite acrobatic flying team Patrouille de France and the RAF Red Arrows performed a flypast.

Flypast presentation

They then traveled to the Elysee Palace, where the King and the French President held a bilateral meeting. King Charles III then met members of the public on a walk from the Elysee Palace to the residence of the British Ambassador to France. 

King Charles III and President Emmanuel Macron of Frence

Following a tradition set by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, the King joined President Macron for a ceremonial tree planting in the British Ambassador's Residence garden.

Arrival at the Palace of Versailles

Their Majesties and the French President and the First Lady. Photo credit: PA Media

After a day of activities in Paris, President Macron hosted a state banquet for the visiting King and Queen and their entourage at the historic Palace of Versailles, the former residence of the Kings and Queens of France. Their Majesties arrived at the Palace of Versailles, walking in with the French president and First Lady.

The King and Queen posed outside the Palace of Versailles

At the state banquet, the King raised a toast to the president and First Lady, the French people, and the entente cordiale between Britain and France. He said: 

"Mr. President in all of this we can rely on our firm friendship, which is renewed and reinvigorated with each new generation. 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".

The opulent interior of the banquet hall of the Palace of Versailles. Photo credit: The Royal Family IG

On the second day of the state visit, King Charles III and Queen Camilla visited  Le 19M, created by Chanel, which houses nearly 600 artisans to see the remarkable creativity and innovation of students engaging with traditional textile and artisan manufacturing.

The King's foundation which he established when he was still the Prince of Wales, The Prince's Foundation, formed a fellowship partnership with Chanel and Le 19M early this year, to create opportunities for British students to learn and work at the campus.

The King and Queen also visited the Flower Market in Paris, which was renamed after Queen Elizabeth II when she paid a visit to Paris in 2014. 

This visit was significant to His Majesty because his mother, then Princess Elizabeth first visited the Flower Market in 1948 when she was still pregnant with her first child, so technically, King Charles's first visit to this area was when he was still at his mother's womb.

The King and Queen leave Paris for Bordeaux. Photo credit: The Royal Family

On Friday, Their Majesties visited Bordeaux, the last leg of their French state visit. The cities of Bordeaux and Bristol in France have been twinned since 1947, a year before the King's birth. 

The King and Queen in Bordeaux, France. Photo credit: The Royal Family IG

At their arrival, the Mayor of Bordeaux welcomed King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Hotel de Ville. And in recognition of the defense ties between France and the UK, Their Majesties have joined members of the British and French Armed Forces aboard HMS Iron Duke.

The King and Queen in Bordeaux, France. Photo credit: The Royal Family IG

King Charles III inspected the front rank of the Ship's impressive Ceremonial Guard and Color Guard. They later visited the Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, the world-famous winery in Bordeaux, France in the commune of Martillac. The Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Bordeaux wine is ranked among the best red wines in the world. 

Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte vineyard and winery

Dating back to the 14th century, this vineyard is now run entirely in a biodynamic and sustainable way. The estate was purchased by Daniel Cathiard and Florence Cathiard in 1990 and it is one of the few Bordeaux vineyards that produces both red and white wines.

The vineyard area spans 67 hectares, 56 hectares of which are planted with grape varieties composed of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc. The remaining 11 hectares are cultivated with white varieties of 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sémillon, and 5% Sauvignon Gris.

There is an alternative second wine called Le Petit Haut Lafitte, which is produced exclusively as a red wine, with a higher mix of Cabernet grapes for a more left-bank feel; this wine is steadily gaining popularity.

Their Majesties visited Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte in Bordeaux!

The King and Queen tasted an 18-year-old wine

During the visit, King Charles III and Queen Camilla tasted a special wine produced at the vineyard in 2005, the year they wed. Later, as they toured the vineyard, they had a chance to meet the resident alpaca, Cauda! 

Meet Cauda, the resident alpaca of Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte

This concludes Their Majesties' visit to France.