Emmanuel Macron in London for the 80th anniversary of the June 18 appeal

Emmanuel Macron is going to London this Thursday for the 80th anniversary of the June 18 appeal launched by General de Gaulle, a highly symbolic trip which is also the President's first since the end of February due to the Covid-19 crisis. Ludovic Marin / Pool via REUTERS

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Emmanuel Macron is going to London this Thursday for the 80th anniversary of the June 18 appeal launched by General de Gaulle to continue the fight against Nazi Germany, a highly symbolic displacement which is also the first of the French President since the end of February because of the Covid-19 crisis. Emmanuel Macron and his delegation will still escape the quarantine imposed on travelers entering the United Kingdom, in accordance with the exemptions provided by the British government.

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From our correspondent in London, Muriel Delcroix

It is the Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla who will welcome the French President at the beginning of the afternoon in their London residence at Clarence House. Francophile and Francophone like his mother, the future King Charles III will represent the 94-year-old sovereign, who remains confined to Windsor Castle.

Emmanuel Macron then went to Carlton Gardens, where General de Gaulle installed the headquarters of the Free French Forces in June 1940. The president will present to Prince Charles and in the presence of the mayor of London Sadiq Khan, the Legion of honor awarded to the capital which had given refuge to the Republic.

The Head of State will then meet Boris Johnson in Downing street. On this occasion the British Prime Minister will in turn award the title of MBE, Member of the British Empire to the last four companions of the Liberation and will present to Emmanuel Macron documents associated with the memory of General de Gaulle and Winston Churchill.

Officially, Brexit should not be invited during this tête-à-tête which must reaffirm the durability of the Franco-British link. Finally, this diplomatic exercise will end with the passage of the Red Arrows and the Patrouille de France over the capital.

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  • France
  • Emmanuel Macron
  • Second World War