Royal praise for Paris survivors amid grim echo of terror
The Duke and Duchess pay tribute to the resilience of Bataclan victims as security is stepped up after fresh attack at Orly airport
THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met survivors of the Paris attacks yesterday, just as the French capital was once more placed on high alert following a new terrorist incident.
The Duke of Cambridge and his wife Catherine praised the bravery and resilience of survivors of the attack on the Bataclan theatre during a meeting at the former Paris hospital of Les Invalides.
Their visit came as security around the Royal couple was heightened following the latest attack, when a man was shot dead by servicemen at Paris Orly airport after trying to grab a patrolwoman’s rifle yesterday.
The royal couple later watched the Welsh rugby union team lose to France in the final seconds of the Six Nations Championship game under increased security at the Stade de France.
The couple spent the day in Paris as part of their first official two-day tour to France, conducting public engagements.
Fans had been warned to be “aware” of the incident and leave extra time to enter the ground.
A police spokesman said the royal couple were under close guard, with no need for extra personal measures.
Their visit marked the culmination of the Duke and Duchess’ first official tour to France, which was intended to spread a little royal charm on behalf of the British Government amid Brexit negotiations.
Yesterday, the couple made a visit to the Musée d’Orsay to see its Impressionist paintings, took part in rugby drills with school children in view of the Eiffel Tower, and spent time at Les Invalides to meet survivors of the Paris shootings, first responders and war veterans.
Among them were Jessica Bambal Akan, who was shot seven times in the leg, hip and back as she dined with friends at La Belle Equipe restaurant in November 2015, and a 28-year-old fireman, Kevin, who was a concertgoer at the Bataclan when he was shot in the leg.
Both have been undergoing rehabilitation at the hospital ever since.
Ms Bambal Akan said the royal encounter meant a great deal to both of them, who have found it invaluable to speak about their trauma and prove to the public that life goes on.
The Duke and Duchess also heard the extraordinary histories of some of Les Invalides’ oldest inhabitants – centenarians who worked for the Allies during the Second World War.
The Duke told the Bataclan attack survivors: “We think you are very strong and very brave, you’ve made amazing progress.”
The Duchess, who was wearing Chanel in honour of her French hosts, said she would be keeping an eye out for Ms Bambal Akan’s work, after learning she was retraining to work in fashion.
The 25-year-old survivor said: “At first [after the shooting], 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.”
She was injured on her birthday as she dined outside the restaurant with three female friends, who all survived the attack.
Her friend Victor Munoz, who was inside, was killed with a single shot. The Duke hailed the “quick-thinking” of her boyfriend, who made a tourniquet for her leg on the scene.
“If I want revenge, I must live and work and prove they [the terrorists] can’t touch how we live in our great country,” she said, speaking in English.
“It sparked something: I realised you need to live.”
Kevin described how he sheltered silently on the floor of the Bataclan during the terror attack, after being shot in the leg.
Of meeting the Duke and Duchess, he said: “It was a very positive experience because I was able to speak about this experience and what I went through.
“It feels very important to tell these stories and be listened to.”
The couple also spent time with the elderly inhabitants of Les Invalides, including one 101-year-old man who escaped the Nazis three times 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, with both reaching chivalrously for her hand to kiss as they were introduced.
Col Camus fought in France from
1939-40, was taken prisoner by the Germans and Vichy forces and escaped three times, joined the French resistance before reaching London in 1943 to serve as an intelligence officer. As they were introduced, the Duke exclaimed: “As escape artist!” The veteran joked: “I spent most of my life in jail. I could write a book.”
The Duke replied: “You should, it would be a bestseller.” Col Camus added: “I didn’t expect to live so long, it’s a surprise. I’m very glad to see you living and not on pictures as I saw the Queen and Charles. Thank you for listening.”
Departing Les Invalides, the Duke and Duchess, who met while studying for a degree in history of art at St Andrew’s University, went on to visit the Musée D’Orsay, which will this year loan a number of Impressionist works to Tate Britain.
The gallery remained open to the public throughout, with impromptu crowds of surprised tourists gathering round to take pictures and videos of the Duke and Duchess on their mobile phones.
In the afternoon, the Duke and Duchess prepared for the rugby by throwing a few practice passes around with youngsters from local clubs, posing for photographs in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.
The couple finished the day at the stadium, where the Duke’s team lost in the final moments with a final score of France 20-Wales 18.
The Duke had been invited to the match for his first official appearance as the patron of the Welsh Rugby Union after taking the role over from the Queen last year.
‘We think you are very strong and very brave, you’ve made amazing progress’