King Charles and Queen Camilla Attend a State Banquet at the Palace of Versailles
King Charles and Queen Camilla began a three-day state visit to France today, where they received a warm welcome amidst tight security. And this evening they are attending one of the most anticipated events of the trip: A state banquet at the Palace of Versailles.
The King and Queen arrived at the spectacular 17th century palace at 8 p.m. and were greeted by President and Madame Macron. Queen Camilla looked striking in a navy blue Dior outfit accessorized with sapphire and diamond jewelry.
The 160 guests at this evening’s dinner in the Hall of Mirrors include a mixture of British and French citizens who were selected for their contribution to UK-France relations. Those invited include actor Hugh Grant, actress Charlotte Gainsbourg, and former soccer manager Arsène Wenger. The menu for the evening includes blue lobster and crab cake with almonds and mint, French poultry with mushroom gratin, French and English cheeses and rose flavored macaron with lychee cream and fresh raspberries.
The former royal residence at Versailles, which is now a World Heritage site and museum, today contains 2,300 rooms spread over more than 63,000 metres squared. It was once the hunting lodge of King Louis XIII and was transformed by his son Louis XIV into a palace for his court.
King Charles and Queen Camilla were formally welcomed to France at the Arc de Triomphe earlier today after which they visited the Elysee Palace, where the King and President exchanged gifts. Macron gave Charles a golden medallion of Monnaie de Paris featuring the King’s portrait as well as a tree from Versailles and a special edition book. The King gave the President Voltaire’s Letters sur Anglais and a photography album of images of them together.
Tomorrow, King Charles will become the first British royal to make a speech inside the French Senate, which he expected to deliver in French and English. He and Camilla will also visit Notre Dame Cathedral.
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