Here are photos from Day 1 of King Charles and Queen Camilla’s trip to France. They were originally supposed to go to France in March, but the French riots put a stop to that, especially when French people began planning specific protests for Charles and Camilla’s visit, plus there was some mention of a guillotine.
Charles and Camilla arrived at Orly airport in the afternoon, and Camilla wore a pink Fiona Clare ensemble for all of the daytime activities, which included a state greeting at the airport with a Guard of Honor, then a trip to the Arc de Triomphe, then some separate activities with King Charles and President Macron peeling away from their wives. Camilla left the impression that she was staggering around, half in the bag. She also didn’t have weights in the hem of her Fiona Clare dress, and her skirt blew up as she was deplaning.
For the state dinner at Versailles, Camilla wore a caped Dior in navy, and Brigitte Macron also wore navy. Copykeening! Camilla paired her Dior look with some Royal Collection sapphires and diamonds. The menu included blue lobster, Bresse French poultry with mushroom gratin, and a selection of both French and English cheese, including Stichelton. The gifts between Macron and Charles were suitably bookish: Macron gave Charles “an original edition of Romain Gary’s “The Roots of Heaven,” a 1956 novel about a rogue environmentalist. Charles in return gave him Voltaire’s “Letters on the English.”
The Washington Post’s coverage was somewhat savage, noting that the French reaction to Charles and Camilla’s visit elicited a shrug, unlike the popularity QEII enjoyed in France. They spoke to a 22-year-old ice cream salesgirl who said: “More people are interested in Queen Elizabeth. She was around my entire life. She was a big personality. Even though we are French, we know her. But the king is not as known. People don’t talk about him. He’s an old man and won’t last long, so maybe people want that distance, or maybe they just don’t care.”
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.
(From L) Britain’s Queen Camilla, Britain’s King Charles III, French President Emmanuel Macron and French president’s wife Brigitte Macron arrive to attend a state banquet at the Palace of Versailles, west of Paris, on September 20, 2023, on the first day of a British royal state visit to France. Britain’s King Charles III and his wife Queen Camilla are on a three-day state visit to France.,Image: 806909710, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: DANIEL LEAL / Avalon 
Britain’s Queen Camilla attends a state banquet at the Palace of Versailles, west of Paris, on September 20, 2023, on the first day of a British royal state visit to France. Britain’s King Charles III and his wife Queen Camilla are on a three-day state visit to France.,Image: 806909769, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: DANIEL LEAL / Avalon 
French President Emmanuel Macron (C) raises his glass as he delivers a speech, while Britain’s King Charles III (L) and Britain’s Queen Camilla (R) look on during a state banquet at the Palace of Versailles, west of Paris, on September 20, 2023, on the first day of a British royal state visit to France. Britain’s King Charles III and his wife Queen Camilla are on a three-day state visit to France.,Image: 806919015, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: DANIEL LEAL / Avalon
French president’s wife Brigitte Macron (L) toast with Britain’s King Charles III (C) as French President Emmanuel Macron (R) toast with Britain’s Queen Camilla (unseen) during a state banquet at the Palace of Versailles, west of Paris, on September 20, 2023, on the first day of a British royal state visit to France. Britain’s King Charles III and his wife Queen Camilla are on a three-day state visit to France.,Image: 806919277, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: DANIEL LEAL / Avalon 
King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive at Orly Airport, Paris, at the start of the State Visit to France. Featuring: King Charles III and Queen Camilla Where: Paris, France When: 20 Sep 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY** 
Brigitte Macron with Queen Camilla leave the Elysee Palace, during King Charles III State Visit to France. Featuring: Brigitte Macron with Queen Camilla Where: Paris, France When: 20 Sep 2023 Credit: Abaca Press/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
King Charles and Queen Camilla during day 1 of a State visit to France are welcomed at the Elysee Palace by President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron. Featuring: King Charles III, Queen Camilla, French President Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte Macron Where: Paris, France Credit: Starface Photo/Cover Images **UK AND USA RIGHTS ONLY** 
Queen Camilla, King Charles III attending the State Banquet at the Palace of Versailles, Paris, during the State Visit to France. Featuring: Queen Camilla, King Charles III Where: Paris, France When: 20 Sep 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLHLnpmirJOdxm%2BvzqZmcWtma4B2e9CunJ6mj5iurrXLpZiYr5%2BnsqCwyKipmKuRpb2ptdGeqpisn5TBqbG%2BrKuarJWUsaq6zZ6pmJmklMOmvtKaoKWklah8