YOU’RE ALL SO STRONG AND BRAVE
War II. Kate was charmed by Colonel Jean Camus, 100, and Chief Petty Officer Georges Zwang, 101. Both reached for her hand to kiss it as they were introduced. Col Camus fought in France in 1939-40, was taken prisoner by the Germans, escaped, joined the resistance and escaped twice more after being captured. He managed With Bataclan survivor Jess to reach London in 1943 and helped the intelligence operation.
As they were introduced, the Duke exclaimed: “An escape artist!”
Today, Les Invalides houses around 80 pensioners. The Duke and Duchess were shown an ornate book explaining how the centre inspired the foundation of the Royal Chelsea Hospital. Art lovers at Musee d’orsay Later the Royals visited the iconic Musee d’orsay art gallery. It remained open to the public, prompting gasps from tourists who took pictures and videos of the couple on their phones.
The Royals also met rugby-playing youngsters – with Kate trying her hand at catching. She then wore a red Carolina Herrera coat – first seen on an official visit to Canada last year – as the couple saw France beat Wales 20-18 at the Stade de France.
It was William’s first visit as patron of the Welsh Rugby Union and he looked glum when France scrambled to victory with the game’s last move.
Kate and Wills still tweeted on the Kensington Palace account: “What an incredible two days in Paris! Thank you to everyone who made the visit so memorable. Au revoir for now!”
Wills’ return to duties brought praise from onlookers, just days after he was pictured dancing at a club on a lads’ ski trip. The Paris visit aimed to boost British-french relations ahead of Brexit. Kensington Palace was said to be relieved the trip passed peacefully following the Orly incident.
The shot man was named as Ziyed Ben Belgacem, a feared gangster behind a string of robberies in the 1990s.
Before reaching Orly he had fired birdshot at police during a traffic stop – wounding one officer.
At the airport he assaulted three soldiers, grabbing one and holding an air pistol to her head.
He tried to snatch her assault weapon in a bid to shoot others, said Paris prosecutor Francois Molins.
As the man and the soldier struggled on the floor the other two soldiers opened fire.
A witness said: “The soldiers took aim at the man, who in turn pointed the gun he seized at the two soldiers.”
Mr Molins said the attacker was flagged up as a radical in prison .
tom.parry@trinitymirror.com