Bonjour,King CharlesandQueen Camilla!

The British ambassador to France, Her Excellency Dame Menna Rawlings, and the French ambassador to the United Kingdom, Her Excellency Hélène Tréheux-Duchêne were also present as the royal couple walked passed a Guard of Honor, made up of one Officer and 20 Guardsmen.

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French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne (R) greets Britain’s King Charles III (L) and Britain’s Queen Camilla (C) upon their arrival at the Orly Airport

King Charles was then invited to light the eternal flame, which burns as a memorial of those who died in the two World Wars. The Arc de Triomphe was where Charles’ mother,Queen Elizabeth, received a ceremonial welcome to France on her last state visit there in 2014.

King Charles and President Emmanuel Macron on Sept. 20, 2023.YOAN VALAT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

French President Emmanuel Macron (R) and Britain’s King Charles III (L) stand to attention as the French Air Force elite acrobatic flying team “Patrouille de France” (PAF) and The British Royal Air Force’s (RAF) aerobatic team, the “Red Arrows” fly overhead during an official welcoming ceremony

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The trip, which will also take them to Bordeaux in the southwest of the country, had originally been planned for March. However, it had to bepostponeddue to protests and riots over changes in pensions for French workers. Despite postponing the portion of their travel to France, King Charles, 74, and Queen Camilla, 76, continued with their plans totour Germany.

Brigitte Macron and Queen Camilla on Sept. 20, 2023.Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The French head of state’s spouse, Brigitte Macron and Queen Camilla during a ceremonial welcome at The Arc De Triomphe

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Chris Fitzgerald, the deputy private secretary to the King,said in a palace briefingearlier this month that the program “remains very similar to that which was planned for March, meaning the themes of the visit are also, for the most part, unchanged."

The idea for the visit is to “celebrate Britain’s relationship with France, marking our shared histories, culture and values. It will also provide an opportunity to look forward and demonstrate the many ways the U.K. and France are working together, whether that be to promote and protect biodiversity, combat climate change, strengthen security and defense ties in response to the conflict in Ukraine or recognize outstanding cultural achievement.”

Fitzgerald added, “As well as speaking to the strength of the U.K.’s bilateral relationship with France, Their Majesties’ visit will include engagements highlighting sustainability and the power of community — key themes of importance to the citizens of both our nations."

King Charles and President Emmanuel Macron on Sept. 20, 2023.Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images

King Charles III performs the re-kindling of the eternal flame using the Comité de la Flamme passed to him by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron during a ceremonial welcome at The Arc De Triomphe

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The trip is Charles’ 35th official visit to France and Camilla’s ninth. It follows his son Prince William’sbrief visit to New York City this weekwhen he showcased his Earthshot Prize.

Official welcoming ceremony for King Charles and Queen Camilla at at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on September 20, 2023.THOMAS SAMSON/AFP via Getty Images

French Air Force elite acrobatic flying team “Patrouille de France” (PAF) and the British Royal Air Force’s (RAF) aerobatic team the “Red Arrows” perform a fly past during an official welcoming ceremony for Britain’s King Charles III and Britain’s Queen Camilla

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source: people.com