The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall continued their three-day visit to the South of France on Tuesday, after having spent Monday night privately in the Alpes-Maritimes.
The couple’s French sojourn started with the Prince and Duchess paying tribute to the victims of Bastille Day, almost two years ago in Nice. The heir to the British throne met a number of relatives of those who lost their lives and also members of the security services.
They had been welcomed on the tarmac of Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport by the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, and his wife, and the prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes, Georges-François Leclerc.
The Royal Couple were then greeted at Musée Massena, across from the Negresco Hotel, where the 69-year-old Royal gave a speech, alternating seamlessly between French and English, before meeting with local British residents, including some of the 30 people from Monaco who were present for the ceremony.
This was the HSH’s 33rd official visit to France, a result, he said, of “the special closeness between the two countries and the indispensable relationship we enjoy”.
“We are neighbours by fate, partners by choice and friends because of the shared experience and deep affection that binds us,” declared Prince Charles, whose youngest son, Prince Harry, will marry the American actress Meghan Markle on May 19.
“Time and again, we have stood together, and struggled together, for the values we both cherish. These are the ties that bind and ones that will continue to evolve.”
Also on Monday, Prince Charles and Camilla visited the old town of Eze, reportedly chatting with townspeople.
On Tuesday, the couple headed to Lyon for a ceremony commemorating VE Day during which the Prince of Wales laid a wreath to honour the victims of the Second World War in Europe.
They plan to return to Nice on Wednesday, May 9, for a “stroll in the heart of town,” before returning to London.
To mark the royal visit, Union jacks have been flying along the Promenade des Anglais. Notably, Paris was not on the couple’s itinerary on this French visit.
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