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Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh step in for King Charles on Entente Cordiale anniversary

7 months ago
Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh step in for King Charles on Entente Cordiale anniversary

The King was absent as French troops joined UK soldiers at Buckingham Palace to mark the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were in place of the monarch at the ceremony to celebrate Anglo-French relations, marking the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale.

The Entente Cordiale was a series of agreements signed between the two nations in 1904 – while not a formal alliance, it served as the foundation for an enduring relationship between the countries.

Edward and Sophie inspected the troops from both nations as they represented the King, who continues his cancer treatment.

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The Duchess of Edinburgh inspects the guards. Pic: PA

British troops and France's Gendarmerie's Garde Republicaine during a parade at Buckingham Palace, London, to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale. Pic: PA
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British troops and France’s Gendarmerie’s Garde Republicaine.
Pic: PA

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh with French Ambassador to the UK, Helene Duchene, at the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale Pic: PA
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The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh with French Ambassador to the UK Helene Duchene. Pic: PA

Joined by General Sir Patrick Sanders, UK chief of general staff, the French chief of army staff General Pierre Schill, and France’s ambassador to the UK Helene Duchene, the event was the first time a non-Commonwealth country took part in the Changing of the Guard ceremony.

However, the French troops did not guard the royal residence.

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An ‘unprecedented’ ceremony

An “unprecedented” Changing of the Guard ceremony has taken place at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the close military and diplomatic links between Britain and France.

Watched by hundreds of tourists in central London, French soldiers were involved in the daily ceremonial event, alongside members of the Scots Guards in what the palace described as an “unprecedented appearance”.

Military bands could be heard playing both national anthems on the palace forecourt as well as other Anglo-French music.

Due to his cancer diagnosis, the King had asked his brother Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, to oversee the event, along with his wife Sophie.

Edward and Sophie inspected the French and UK troops, and a similar guard change attended by President Macron was also held at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

The Ministry of Defence said the appearance by French personnel at Buckingham Palace forms part of a longer-term programme of joint UK-French activity that celebrates the two nations’ historic military and diplomatic ties in 2024.

It will include participation in each other’s air shows, and major events this June to commemorate the anniversary of the D Day landings.

The involvement of the Royal Family in today’s symbolic event is a reminder of the monarchy’s significant role in maintaining relationships with other countries through soft diplomacy.

The royals walked past 32 members of the 1st and 2nd infantry regiments of the Republican Guard and then 40 guardsmen from F Company Scots Guards, lined up opposite their French counterparts.

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The Duke of Edinburgh during the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace with France's Gendarmerie's Garde Republicaine . Pic: PA
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The Duke of Edinburgh. Pic: PA

British and French troops during a parade at Buckingham Palace to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale. Pic: PA
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Pic: PA

France's Gendarmerie's Garde Republicaine arrive at Buckingham Palace . Pic: PA
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Pic: PA

Major Jamie Drummond-Moray, officer commanding F Company Scots Guards, said: “It is an enormous privilege for us to host the French here in London and to play such a significant part in a ceremony that has never happened before with a non-Commonwealth country.

“It really is a monumental occasion and more so given that it is marking 120 years of the strong relationship between the UK with France.

“I think it’s a great honour for all our soldiers, and a fantastic day for everyone in France and the UK.”