The King, a veritable Francophile and fluent French speaker like his mother the late Queen, is keen to walk in her footsteps during this state visit.
She was seen as an iconic figure across the Channel and the King has already spoken of the deep affinity she had for France.
After the state visit had to be postponed due to riots in Paris, embarrassing President Emmanuel Macron, this time he has pulled out all the stops to welcome the King and Queen as well as ensure their security.
The grand dinner held in the King’s honour at the sumptuous Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles underlined the importance Mr Macron places in the friendship between the nations. Officials on both sides hope the King’s visit, like that of Edward VII in 1903, will pave the way to a new look entente cordiale — ending years of antagonism between the UK and France. The King’s presence will certainly help reinvigorate warmer relations that undoubtedly unravelled after Britain’s tumultuous exit from the European Union.
The turbulence over the fall-out over Brexit has left its scars but Rishi Sunak is now looking for allies in European capitals and feels this visit by the King will help his cause. The UK and France are, after all, top supporters of Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s illegal aggression and closer Anglo-French ties will benefit support for Ukraine.
The “wonderful welcome” and talk of “firm friends” is, of course, a great start. Honouring the King by allowing him to speak from the floor of the French Senate was deeply significant too. It is hoped it will help the Prime Minister shore up relations with France and Mr Macron after the visit, ushering in a new chapter of closer co-operation after years of somewhat petty political squabbles.
