A windswept King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in Paris this afternoon for the start of a three-day state visit to France.
The couple arrived shortly before 2pm on a private chartered flight from Farnborough, travelling on the “baby Voyager” airbus plane to Paris Orly airport, where they were officially welcomed by the French Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, on behalf of President Macron and the French government.
They were also received by Britain’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, the UK’s ambassador to France Dame Menna Rawlings and the French Ambassador to the UK, Hélène Tréheux-Duchêne, who greeted the couple at the foot of the aircraft stairs
Camilla wore a dusky pink wool crepe coat dress by Fiona Clare, and, in a nod to her hosts, a pink beret-shaped hat by milliner Philip Treacy.
She held on to it tightly due to blustery conditions as they walked along a red carpet, chatting to Ms Borne, as a guard of honour, comprised of one officer and 20 guardsmen of the Garde Républicaine, lined their route from the plane.
The 74-year-old monarch and his consort then left the airport in the State Bentley for a ceremonial welcome by President and Madame Macron at the Arc de Triomphe.
It is Charles’s 35th official visit to France, and Camilla’s ninth official visit. The couple last visited France in 2019, attending a service in Bayeux Cathedral to mark the 75th anniversary of the Normandy Landings. Queen Elizabeth II, and the Duke of Edinburgh last undertook a state visit to France in 2014.
Before they left Farnborough, the couple sent an authored, or signed, message on Twitter to the French people.
They said: “We are so looking forward to joining you in Paris and Bordeaux, as we embark on our first state visit as King and Queen to France, a country for which we both have the greatest love and admiration.
“We will celebrate the special bond between our two countries and all that your wonderful country has to offer. À bientôt France! -Charles R. and Camilla R.”
President Macron bowed to the King and Queen when greeting them.
He shook hands with the King and kissed Camilla on both cheeks.
– By Richard Palmer, Royal Correspondent
