PARIS: Following a three-day state visit that included grandeur and diplomatic engagements in Paris, King Charles III is embarking on a new leg of his European journey with a strong emphasis on environmental stewardship.
On Friday, the monarch concluded his visit to France by heading south to Bordeaux, where he and Queen Camilla continued their commitment to environmental causes.
In a symbolic act, the royal couple assisted in planting a loquat leaf oak tree in the garden of Bordeaux City Hall, selected for its adaptability to variable climates—a gesture that underscores King Charles’s dedication to environmental conservation.
During their visit to Bordeaux, King Charles will meet with emergency workers who battled wildfires in the region last year, displaying solidarity with those affected by environmental challenges. Additionally, he will explore an experimental forest aimed at assessing the impact of climate change on urban woodlands.
The warm reception extended to the British monarch was evident as locals waved both French and British flags, and some even exclaimed, “God Save The King,” while the royal couple greeted well-wishers outside Bordeaux’s town hall.
The visit includes a trip to a vineyard known for its sustainable winemaking practices, a particularly relevant stop in a region where wine exports are a cornerstone of the economy. Bordeaux faced the challenge of its earliest-ever harvest due to severe drought last year, prompting ongoing efforts to adapt to the effects of climate change.
This marks the third and final day of the state visit, with a primary goal of strengthening the alliance between Britain and France after years of disputes, including those related to Brexit and migration. Charles’s positive remarks about France have resonated, even evoking cheers of “Long Live the King!”—an uncommon expression in a country with a history of monarchy abolition.
In Bordeaux, the royal couple joined a reception on a royal navy frigate, highlighting the enduring military ties between the two nations. The Aquitaine region, once a contested possession between English and French royalty in the Middle Ages, is now home to a sizable British community, and the king and queen engaged with British business owners in the area.
After their flight from Paris to Bordeaux, King Charles and Queen Camilla made a brief switch to environmentally friendly public transport, riding a pioneering electric tram to the main city square.
Addressing the French Senate on Thursday, King Charles praised the “indispensable relationship” between France and the United Kingdom, stressing their capacity to confront global challenges, including the conflict in Ukraine and climate change. He called for a new partnership focused on sustainability.
His commitment to environmental concerns was further emphasized in a toast during an opulent state dinner at the Palace of Versailles on Wednesday evening.
These sentiments come at a time when U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced adjustments to some of Britain’s climate commitments, including delaying the ban on new gas and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035.
While King Charles has long been a prominent environmental advocate, it’s important to note that, as the monarch, he is expected to adhere to the non-political role of the British monarchy, in line with the traditions of the U.K.’s constitutional monarchy.
