In pictures: King Charles and Queen Camilla on state visit to France

On Wednesday, King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived in France for a state visit.

King Charles and Queen Camilla disembark their aircraft upon arrival at the Orly Airport in FranceIMAGE SOURCE,EPA

The three-day trip began with the King and Queen touching down at Orly airport, near Paris.

They were greeted by the French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, before driving to a ceremonial welcome at the Arc De Triomphe in Paris.

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne welcomes the King and Queen upon their arrival at the Orly AirportIMAGE SOURCE,PA MEDIA

At the Arc de Triomphe, the King and Queen were greeted by the French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte.

Emmanuel Macron his wife Brigitte Macron welcome King Charles III and Queen Camilla for an official welcoming ceremony at the Arc de TriompheIMAGE SOURCE,AFP

During the ceremonial welcome, King Charles performed the re-kindling of the eternal flame using the Comite de la Flamme passed to him by Mr Macron.

King Charles III performs the re-kindling of the eternal flame using the Comite de la Flamme passed to him by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron during a ceremonial welcome at The Arc De TriompheIMAGE SOURCE,REUTERS

French Air Force elite acrobatic flying team Patrouille de France and the RAF Red Arrows performed a flypast during the ceremony.

French Air Force elite acrobatic flying team Patrouille de France (PAF) and the Royal Air Force's aerobatic team the Red Arrows perform a fly pastIMAGE SOURCE,AFP

After these events the King and Queen travelled to the Elysee Palace, where the King and the French President held a bilateral meeting.

The King then met members of the public on a walk from the Elysee Palace to the residence of the British Ambassador to France.

King Charles greets people during a walk from the Elysee Palace to the residence of the British ambassador to FranceIMAGE SOURCE,EPA

Following a tradition set by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, the King joined President Macron for a ceremonial tree-planting in the garden of the British Ambassador’s Residence.

King Charles and President Macron plant an oak tree at the British Ambassador's residenceIMAGE SOURCE,REUTERS

On Wednesday evening there was a state dinner for the King and Queen at the Palace of Versailles.

Actor Hugh Grant was among the guests, attending with his wife Anna Elisabet Eberstein.

Hugh Grant and his wife Anna Elisabet Eberstein arrive to attend a state dinner in honour of Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla at the Chateau de VersaillesIMAGE SOURCE,REUTERS

Ivorian footballer Didier Drogba and his partner Gabrielle Lemaire joined the dinner at the Palace of Versailles.

Didier Drogba and Gabrielle Lemaire arrive to attend the state dinnerIMAGE SOURCE,REUTERS

Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, and his partner Melanie Hamrick were also on the guest list.

Mick Jagger and his partner US choreographer Melanie Hamrick arrive to attend a state banquet at the Palace of VersaillesIMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES

French-British actress Emma Mackey looked pleased to be in attendance as she walked into the palace.

French-British actor Emma Mackey arrives at the Palace of Versailles before a state banquet hosted by the French president and his wife in honour of the British king and queen, in Versailles, France, on 20 September 2023IMAGE SOURCE,EPA

The King and Queen then arrived at the Palace of Versailles, walking in with the French president and First Lady.

Brigitte Macron, Queen Camilla, King Charles III and French President Emmanuel Macron attending the State Banquet at the Palace of Versailles, ParisIMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES

At the state banquet the King raised a toast to the president and First Lady, the French people, and the entente cordiale between Britain and France.

King Charles III and French President Emmanuel Macron drink from glasses at a state banquet at the Palace of VersaillesIMAGE SOURCE,EPA

There were toasts all round.

Guests enjoyed their meal in the impressive interior of the Palace of Versailles.

Guests attending the State Banquet at the Palace of Versailles, Paris, during the state visit to France by Britain's King and Queen on 20 September 2023IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES

On day two, King Charles was greeted by Senators and members of the National Assembly at the French Senate.

French Senators and members of the National Assembly greet King Charles at the French Senate in ParisIMAGE SOURCE,REUTERS

He made a historic speech, the first time a member of the British Royal Family has spoken from the Senate Chamber.

King Charles addresses Senators and members of the National Assembly at the French SenateIMAGE SOURCE,REUTERS

The King was greeted with a round of applause and left to a standing ovation.

King Charles waves to members of parliament after he delivered his speechIMAGE SOURCE,REUTERS

Queen Camilla and Brigitte Macron visited the Bibliotheque nationale de France (BnF) in Paris.

They launched a new UK-France literary prize, the Entente Litteraire Prize.

Queen Camilla makes a speech during her visit to the Bibliotheque nationale de FranceIMAGE SOURCE,REUTERS

At the reception the Queen shared a joke with British actor Celia Imrie.

Queen Camilla shares a joke with Celia Imrie at the receptionIMAGE SOURCE,PA MEDIA

King Charles and Queen Camilla met French sport stars and local youth sports associations in Saint-Denis, in the northern suburbs of Paris.

Charles was offered a Paris Saint Germain jersey by the club president Nasser al-Khelaifi.

Paris Saint Germain's president Nasser al-Khelaifi offers King Charles a club jersey during the visit to Saint-DenisIMAGE SOURCE,EPA

While the Queen enjoyed a game of table tennis.

Queen Camilla plays table tennis next to King Charles and Brigitte MacronIMAGE SOURCE,REUTERS

The King and Queen visited a flower market in Paris, named after the late Queen Elizabeth II who was there on a state visit in 2014.

King Charles III and his wife Queen Camilla visit the central Paris Flower Market.IMAGE SOURCE,PA MEDIA

Rain did not seem to dampen the mood as the Royal couple met people in the street afterwards.

Queen Camilla shakes hands with people as she walks in a streetIMAGE SOURCE,REUTERS

All photographs subject to copyright.

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