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Queen in France for three-day state visit | |
(about 11 hours later) | |
The Queen has arrived in Paris at the start of a three-day state visit which also takes in the D-Day anniversary. | |
Together with the Duke of Edinburgh she will travel to Normandy for the 70th anniversary of the landings on Friday, where she will meet veterans. | |
The royal couple will take part in an event at the site of the invasion by Allied forces on 6 June 1944. | |
The Queen will also have a flower market in Paris renamed after her during the visit. | |
The monarch and the Duke were greeted by Britain's ambassador to France, Sir Peter Ricketts, as they arrived at Gare du Nord station in the French capital on a Eurostar train. | |
Nicholas Witchell, BBC Royal Correspondent, in Paris | |
Sometimes the passage of years makes it easier to say those things that are most heartfelt. | |
Queen Elizabeth II is greatly respected in France. She is a hereditary monarch visiting a country which, though it dispensed with its kings and queens several centuries ago, still enjoys the pomp and grandeur which is such an indispensable part of monarchy. | |
She also represents those qualities of dignity and devotion to duty which the French rather admire and which, perhaps, they wish were more evident in the upper echelons of their own establishment. | |
But most importantly in the context of this week's 70th anniversary of D-Day, Elizabeth II is from that wartime generation, so many members of which made the ultimate sacrifice in order to rescue the French nation from subjugation by the Nazis. | |
The Second World War hasn't always been an easy subject for France to deal with. Yet deep in its heart it's always known the debt that it owes to the people of the United Kingdom and its allies for the liberation from tyranny which began when the landing craft went ashore in Normandy on 6 June 1944. | |
In inviting Elizabeth II to attend the D-Day commemoration as part of a State Visit, France has made her the most honoured of all the heads of state who will be in Normandy on Friday. | |
Partly that is a personal tribute to her and the 62 years of her reign. But one senses that it is also France's way of expressing its most heartfelt gratitude to the entire British D-Day generation. | |
'Huge affection' | |
Speaking ahead of the visit, Sir Peter said: "I personally think this is going to have a big, big impact in France. | |
"The sense I get here is real excitement and pride really that the Queen is coming back for this visit. | "The sense I get here is real excitement and pride really that the Queen is coming back for this visit. |
"This is a moment full of symbolism, full of history. The Queen has a very special relationship with France. | "This is a moment full of symbolism, full of history. The Queen has a very special relationship with France. |
He added: "As you know, she first came here in 1948 as Princess Elizabeth - just married - and many, many French people of my age and older remember that and feel they've known the Queen ever since because she's come very regularly, five state visits but many other visits as well. | He added: "As you know, she first came here in 1948 as Princess Elizabeth - just married - and many, many French people of my age and older remember that and feel they've known the Queen ever since because she's come very regularly, five state visits but many other visits as well. |
"They know she speaks French very well, that she likes being in France and I feel there is huge affection in France for the Queen and the Royal Family. | "They know she speaks French very well, that she likes being in France and I feel there is huge affection in France for the Queen and the Royal Family. |
"So there is a real warmth and affection and I think you'll feel that through this state visit." | "So there is a real warmth and affection and I think you'll feel that through this state visit." |
On Friday, the couple will meet veterans and mark the sacrifices of those who liberated the continent from Nazi Germany. | |
The Queen will also be joined by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. | |
The monarch will also visit a market which will be now known as Marche aux Fleurs - Reine Elizabeth II in tribute to her as a special honour from the people of the French capital. | |
The royal couple will be welcomed in the centre of Paris by French President Francois Hollande. | The royal couple will be welcomed in the centre of Paris by French President Francois Hollande. |
As they travel along the Champs Elysees in a limousine their route will be lined by 146 mounted members of the Republican Guard. | As they travel along the Champs Elysees in a limousine their route will be lined by 146 mounted members of the Republican Guard. |
Later, at a birthday party event for the Queen held at the ambassador's residence in Paris, British food and drink will be served to guests including World War Two veterans from France and the UK. | |
A state banquet in the Queen's honour will be held at Elysee Palace on Friday evening. | A state banquet in the Queen's honour will be held at Elysee Palace on Friday evening. |