ROYALS’ PARIS
PRINCE William and Kate yesterday met survivors of the Paris Bataclan massacres – in the midst of an alert after a terrorist gunman was shot dead a few miles away.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were briefed on the latest drama to hit the French capital during their high-profile visit.
The couple’s trip continued despite Orly airport on the edge of Paris being ordered into lockdown.
The latest shooting scare erupted when William, 34, and Kate, 35, were preparing to meet survivors of the November 2015 Paris attacks in which 129 died – and last year’s Nice lorry terrorist atrocity that claimed 86 victims.
Convicted bank robber Ziyed Ben Belgacem, 39, tried to grab an automatic rifle from a woman soldier on duty at the airport at 8.30am French time – 7.30 in Britain.
He held an air pistol to her head and tried to use her as a human shield.
Belgacem, who is reported to have been on a security watchlist after becoming an Islamic extremist, shouted: “I am here to die for Allah – there will be deaths”.
The woman soldier’s two comrades opened fire and killed the fanatic as terrified travellers and staff fled.
Extreme
Belgacem had earlier been stopped for speeding at a road check north of the city and shot a policewoman in the face with a pellet gun.
He then held up a woman motorist at gunpoint, hijacked her car and raced to Orly.
Belgacem first came to police notice in the late 1990s when he was involved in a series of bank robberies in the Paris suburbs.
He built up a reputation for extreme violence within t he criminal underworld, but had no known links to terrorist organisations.
No one else in the busy terminal was hurt but thousands of travellers were evacuated and flights were diverted to the city’s other airport, Charles de Gaulle.
British embassy staff and the royal couple’s UK police protection officers were told about the attack and the news was passed to William and Kate.
But they appeared unruffled as they met terrorist and Second World War survivors at Les Invalides military hospital.
Among them was Jessica Bambal Akan, 25, who was shot seven times in the leg, hip and back as she dined with friends at La Belle Equipe restaurant near the Bataclan concert venue. Jessica, 25, said: “At first I was a bit shy and didn’t want to talk about it because of all of the pain and grief.
“But now I want to say we are not only victims, we have lives, we have boyfriends, girlfriends, work. I want to speak about my friend who died to honour him, I want people to remember who he was.”
The Duchess, who wore a Chanel coat in homage to the famous French fashion house, said she would be keeping an eye out for Jessica’s work, after learning she is retraining to work in fashion.
Another survivor was a 28-year-old fireman, named only as Kevin, who was shot in the leg at the Bataclan.
Challenge
He was hit when the Isis gunmen opened fire during the Eagles of Death Metal gig.
Asked how his emotional recovery had been, he told the royal couple: “It gave me a challenge, I like a challenge.” Kate said: “You’re a very brave man.”
William told the survivors: “We think you are very strong and very brave, you have made amazing progress.”
Jessica and Kevin are still receiving treatment at Les Invalides.
Wills and Kate also heard the extraordinary histories of some of Les Invalides’ oldest i nhabitants, centenarians who worked for the Allies during the Second World War.
The duchess was charmed by Colonel Jean Camus, 100, and Chief Petty Officer Georges Zwang, who will turn 102 in May.
Both reached for her hand to kiss it.
The royal couple t weeted on t heir Kensington Palace Twitter account: “What an incredible two days in Paris! Thank you to everyone who made the visit so memorable. Au revoir for now!”
Their visit to Paris concluded with watching the Wales versus France Si x Nations rugby match. Kate wore a red Carolina Herrera coat, showing her support for the home nationss side. It was William’s s first visit to the Stade e de France as patron of the Welsh Rugby Union.n. And he looked glumm when France won 20-18.8. BBC commentator Johnhn Inverdale, 59, who ho spotted the royal couple, ple, caused a storm on Twitter when hen he told viewers: “I don’t know exactly how au fait with the rules Kate is but I assumeme she must have been strugglingtruggling a bit in the e last 20 minutes.” Some viewersiewers hit out. “Inverdale verdale must go. Blatant sexism,” tweeted weeted one. Anotherer said: “Sexist plonker.”nker.”