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The King and Queen took a colourful trip down memory lane today on a visit to a Parisian flower market named after the late Queen.
Just as pouring rain which had drenched the streets either side of the Seine, Charles and Camilla downed their umbrellas to warmly greet two stall holders who met Her Majesty during her last state visit to France in 2014.
Lionel Vivani, who has operated his stall for 25 years, told the King how he had showed his mother around the market, which was renamed after Elizabeth II following her visit.
Following his introduction to the royals, Mr Vivani said: “It was an honour to meet your King.
“I have fond memories of meeting the Queen nearly 10 years ago and I’m glad I am still here for this visit.”
Hugot Michel, who has run his family owned stall in for more than two decades, gifted the King a laminated picture of the late Queen he took during her visit to his shop.
On the reverse, Mr Michel penned a note to the King, thanking him for his visit and wishing him “health and happiness”.
He said: “It is a historic day and I was honoured to meet the King.”
Her Majesty first visited the Marché aux Fleurs in May 1948 as Princess Elizabeth and again for a second time during her last State Visit to France in June 2014.
The market was renamed “The flower market of Queen Elizabeth II” in honour of her visit.
Accompanying the King and Queen on their excursion on their way to the iconic Notre Dame cathedral, the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, guided the couple to a dais to sign the official welcome book known as the ‘Parchment Ceremony.’
It was the first time the ceremony has taken place outside of the Hotel de Ville, the mayor’s office.
Following the signing Charles and Camilla took part in a chaotic walkabout, where around 200 Parisians had gathered to welcome the royal couple.
En route to the iconic Notre Dame cathedral, to inspect the huge renovation project underway following a devastating fire in 2019, Charles and Camilla were once again greeted by President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte.
Mr Macron bowed to the Queen and shook Charles’ hand while the First Lady, who had spent the afternoon with Camilla, shook hands.
The two couples then made their way around the corner before entering the church.
– by Richard Palmer, Daily Express Royal Correspondent in Paris
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