Between Queen Elizabeth II and France, it’s a story that has lasted for 70 years. Beyond his incredible longevity at the head of the United Kingdom, the illustrious monarch of the royal family had the opportunity to meet our Presidents of the Republic. From visits to the Élysée Palace to receptions at Windsor Castle, she shared diplomatic ties with each of them.
On the occasion of his Platinum Jubilee, the current President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron published a video message for His Majesty. Welcoming the “dedication” of the Queen of England in favor of the “unwavering friendship” between France and the United Kingdom, the Head of State testified to his friendship with this “so close ally”. In his speech, he quoted one of his predecessors who rubbed shoulders with the Queen after her accession to the throne in 1952. “Your first toast You gave to one of my predecessors René Coty reminded us that trust and understanding must last forever”.
Since the last president elected under the Fourth Republic, Elizabeth II has maintained cordial ties with French heads of state. From the Fifth Republic, she met in turn Charles de Gaulle (1959-1969), Georges Pompidou (1969-1974), Valéry Giscard d’Estaing (1974-1981), François Mitterrand (1981-1995), then Jacques Chirac (1995-2002), Nicolas Sarkozy (2007-2012), François Hollande (2012-2017) and Emmanuel Macron (since 2017). Among them, some would have established a privileged relationship with the sovereign.
Like his friendly relationship with former President François Mitterrand, according to the memories of Jack Lang. “I’m not going to speak for her, but I think she had great respect and admiration for him,” confided the former Minister of Culture in a report broadcast on May 31 on TMC, relayed by Gala. “Then François Mitterrand was majestic. He was a man who had a kind of royal distinction. The queen adored his intelligence and his culture, because he knew everything about British dynasties. She was amazed”.
Other presidents came close to a diplomatic incident with Queen Elizabeth II. Like Jacques Chirac who would have arrived late at a dinner given by the sovereign at Buckingham. Or even this day when François Hollande would have tried to shake hands with His Majesty, without having the authorization. However, these meetings were an opportunity to offer beautiful shots that marked the reign of the Queen of England. Discover the royal retrospective in our slideshow.
