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Queen in France for three-day state visit Queen lays wreath at Tomb of Unknown Soldier in Paris
(about 1 hour later)
The Queen has arrived in Paris at the start of a three-day state visit which also takes in the D-Day anniversary. The Queen has laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris at the start of her state visit to France.
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. She joined France's President Francois Hollande in honouring the war dead at the national monument.
The royal couple will take part in an event at the site of the invasion by Allied forces on 6 June 1944. Her three-day trip also takes in the D-Day anniversary and together with the Duke of Edinburgh she will travel to Normandy for the 70th anniversary of the landings on Friday.
The event takes place at the site of the invasion by Allied forces in 1944.
The Queen will also have a flower market in Paris renamed after her during the visit.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.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 ParisNicholas Witchell, BBC Royal Correspondent, in Paris
Sometimes the passage of years makes it easier to say those things that are most heartfelt.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.
"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.
"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."
Birthday partyBirthday party
The royal couple were welcomed in the centre of Paris by French President Francois Hollande. As the royal couple travelled along the Champs Elysees in a limousine their route was lined by 146 mounted members of the Republican Guard.
As they travelled along the Champs Elysees in a limousine their route was lined by 146 mounted members of the Republican Guard. At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, beneath the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, both the Queen and Mr Hollande laid their hands on a large wreath of red, white and blue - the national colours of France - as it was lowered to the tomb's base by a senior British officer and his French counterpart.
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 Queen and president then bowed their heads in a mark of respect.
During her visit, the monarch will also attend 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.
Her Majesty will be joined by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.Her Majesty will be joined by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
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.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.
On Friday, the couple will meet veterans and mark the sacrifices of those who liberated the continent from Nazi Germany.On Friday, the couple will meet veterans and mark the sacrifices of those who liberated the continent from Nazi Germany.
And a state banquet in the Queen's honour will be held at Elysee Palace on Friday evening.And a state banquet in the Queen's honour will be held at Elysee Palace on Friday evening.