More than a year after her death, Emmanuel Macron paid tribute this Wednesday night to Elizabeth II on the occasion of the state dinner held in Versailles in honor of Charles III’s first visit to France as British sovereign.
According to the President of the Republic, the mother of Charles III “fulfilled her mission with constant dedication, combined Franco-British relations with modern times and walked for 70 years alongside the giants of the century she joined.”
“You know the affection that the French people have for Queen Elizabeth II,” declared Emmanuel Macron before the king. “Tonight we think of her and Prince Philip (father of Charles III, who died in 2022, editor’s note).”
In response, during his toast, Charles III reminded him of the “greatest affection” his mother had for France.
A “friendship” to “revitalize”
At the beginning of his speech, Emmanuel Macron thanked the king for his visit, a few months after his accession to the throne, “a sign of friendship and trust”, as well as a “tribute to our past” and a “guarantee for the future”.
“Despite Brexit, because what unites us comes from far away (…) I know that we will continue to write together part of the future of our continent, to face the challenges and serve the causes we have in common. “She assured.
He further promised: “As you begin your reign, you can count on the friendship and unwavering support of our country to make common cause for our people and humanity.”
For his part, the King of the United Kingdom urged France and the United Kingdom to continue “strengthening their friendship” to face future challenges together, after the turbulence of Brexit. He welcomed the fact that Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had initiated a “renewal of the Entente Cordiale” between the two countries during a Franco-British summit in March at the Elysée, the first in five years.
Source: BFM TV
