VIDEO: King Charles vows to strengthen UK-France ties
King Charles III on Thursday pledged to do everything he could to strengthen the relationship between France and Britain, suggesting the "indispensable" partners could also team up to jointly tackle the climate emergency.
In a speech at the French Senate on the second day of a three-day visit to France that London hopes will tighten post-Brexit relations, Charles deftly mixed English and French, winning a standing ovation from the lawmakers.
French royal mania continues, and it is quite something. After the “Vive le roi!” on the streets of Paris yesterday, a standing ovation just now for King Charles after his speech in the French Senate
🇫🇷🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/QdvnVmADYu
— Sophie Pedder (@PedderSophie) September 21, 2023
He recalled his mother Queen Elizabeth II, whom he succeeded upon her death one year ago, describing her legacy for France-UK relations as a "golden thread which will forever shine brightly" and saying the royal family were "moved beyond measure" by tributes to her from France.
"For the time that is granted to me as King, I pledge to do whatever I can to strengthen the indispensable relationship between the United Kingdom and France," he said.
"Quite simply, the United Kingdom will always be one of France's closest allies and best friends," he said, speaking from a lectern adorned with British, French and EU flags.
VIDEO How good are British royals at speaking French?
He suggested that France and Britain should team up to tackle the climate and biodiversity emergencies with a new version of the 1904 Entente Cordiale pact, which sealed the friendship between Paris and London.
"I would like to propose it also becomes an 'Entente pour la Durabilite' (Partnership for Sustainability) in order to tackle the global climate and biodiversity emergency more effectively."
He also vowed that London and Paris were "steadfast in our determination Ukraine will triumph" in fighting the Russian invasion.
"Our alliance and our resolve are as important as ever. Together, we stand in resolute solidarity with the Ukrainian people."
His speech will also be etched in history as the first British monarch to speak in the main chamber of the Senate: his mother spoke in a conference hall within the Senate in a 2004 speech.
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In a speech at the French Senate on the second day of a three-day visit to France that London hopes will tighten post-Brexit relations, Charles deftly mixed English and French, winning a standing ovation from the lawmakers.
French royal mania continues, and it is quite something. After the “Vive le roi!” on the streets of Paris yesterday, a standing ovation just now for King Charles after his speech in the French Senate
— Sophie Pedder (@PedderSophie) September 21, 2023
🇫🇷🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/QdvnVmADYu
He recalled his mother Queen Elizabeth II, whom he succeeded upon her death one year ago, describing her legacy for France-UK relations as a "golden thread which will forever shine brightly" and saying the royal family were "moved beyond measure" by tributes to her from France.
"For the time that is granted to me as King, I pledge to do whatever I can to strengthen the indispensable relationship between the United Kingdom and France," he said.
"Quite simply, the United Kingdom will always be one of France's closest allies and best friends," he said, speaking from a lectern adorned with British, French and EU flags.
VIDEO How good are British royals at speaking French?
He suggested that France and Britain should team up to tackle the climate and biodiversity emergencies with a new version of the 1904 Entente Cordiale pact, which sealed the friendship between Paris and London.
"I would like to propose it also becomes an 'Entente pour la Durabilite' (Partnership for Sustainability) in order to tackle the global climate and biodiversity emergency more effectively."
He also vowed that London and Paris were "steadfast in our determination Ukraine will triumph" in fighting the Russian invasion.
"Our alliance and our resolve are as important as ever. Together, we stand in resolute solidarity with the Ukrainian people."
His speech will also be etched in history as the first British monarch to speak in the main chamber of the Senate: his mother spoke in a conference hall within the Senate in a 2004 speech.
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