FRENCH RECONNECTION
William and Kate heal in Paris
THE CAMBRIDGES SPREAD GOODWILL IN FRANCE
If you find yourself in the dog box with your wife, a trip to Paris is always a good idea. It was a slightly sheepish Prince William who visited the French capital with Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge last week, following a three-day boozy lads’ holiday in Switzerland that left Kate rather unimpressed.
However, the royal couple, who were in Paris for two days on a “Brexit charm offensive” were nothing but charming as they attended official engagements in the romantic city – William’s first official visit since his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, lost her life in a car accident there in 1997.
“Although William has visited Paris several times since the death of his mother, this is the first official trip there on behalf of the government,” a royal correspondent notes.
“While his and Kate’s visit is very much about boosting UKFrench relations, it will also be a
poignant one, coming in Diana’s 20th anniversary year.”
Standing in front of the famed Eiffel Tower on a dreary day, the pair exchanged loving glances as cameras flashed, despite sources saying Kate was “disappointed” with her husband’s behaviour in the Swiss ski town of Verbier, where his “dad dancing” and drinking with models made international headlines.
But while she reportedly hauled her husband over the coals when he got home, there were no signs of marital tension during the couple’s action-packed weekend – indeed, they look more in love than ever before.
Their whirlwind two days began in London on St Patrick’s Day, where Kate, as tradition dictates, distributed shamrocks to the Irish guard, before joining her husband for a Guinness.
A private jet promptly whisked them to Paris, where the royal couple were greeted by President François Hollande before visiting the British Embassy to launch the exhibition Les Voisins – “The Neighbours”, which celebrates UK-French links.
Passing on his grandmother the Queen’s best wishes and enduring affection for France, William told of his and Kate’s own love for the country. “It is a feeling that Catherine and I entirely share, and look forward to this and many more visits in the years to come – to France our ally, our friend, our neighbour.”
But it was during that night’s gala dinner where Kate stole the show, slipping into an ice-blue gown by one of her favourite designers, Jenny Packham, while William wore a tuxedo. Guests dined on a menu of Dublin Bay prawns, braised leg of Welsh lamb and a white and dark chocolate soufflé, accompanied by vintage Champagne.
However, there was a hint of a lingering hangover from the lads’ weekend as a children’s choir launched into a rendition of Happy by Pharrell Williams – the same song William was filmed dancing to in Switzerland – with the stony-faced prince failing to crack a smile.
Their brief visit took a more sombre turn the next day when the pair visited military hospital Les Invalides, and met with survivors of the Bataclan and Nice terrorist attacks.
“We think you are very strong and very brave,” William told the group. “You’ve made amazing progress.”
A quick visit to the Musée d’Orsay followed, much to the royal couple’s delight – they both studied history of art at St Andrews, though William later switched to geography – where
‘Catherine and I look forward to this and many more visits in the years to come’
they saw Monet masterpieces.
However, the pair truly seemed in their element when they enjoyed a throw-around with a children’s rugby team – Kate especially showing off some rugby skills before heading to Stade de France for the final Six Nations match between Wales and France.
Both William and Kate looked a little tense as the game drew to a close – with France eventually triumphing, much to their disappointment.
William is the patron of the Welsh Rugby Union.
A successful visit, then – if only we could all jet off to Paris when the going gets a little tough!