Following in the footsteps of Queen Camilla and Brigitte Macron in Paris

This question often arises when we see two public figures exchange a few words in front of cameras. what can they talk about He returned this Thursday morning to the Oval Office of the BNF (Richelieu site) when Queen Camilla and Brigitte Macron arrived together, seemingly chatting quite naturally. What do they say to each other there, facing the media steamboat until evening? “The blue lobster served at Versailles was exquisite” “It’s Raining Cats and Dogs”…? We will not ask, but we tell ourselves that, all the same, they have a lot in common. The Queen of England and the First Lady of France are of the same generation, both divorced; suffered, each in his own way, the fire of criticism for love deemed impossible.

They also share a passion for reading, which they confirmed this Wednesday by launching a new Franco-British prize, the Literary Entente Prize, which will officially launch in 2024. “A day without reading, for the Queen or me. , it doesn’t exist,” Brigitte Macron announced during her speech at the BNF, behind smoked-lens glasses and a long red Chanel tweed jacket. “I sincerely hope that this award will prove that Victor Hugo was sometimes unfair to us when he said ‘England has two books,'” added Queen Camilla humorlessly, apologizing for her “slightly rusty” French. “As much as we really enjoy the Bible and Shakespeare, I promise you we have a lot more than those two.” She remained for a long time in the shadow of Charles, behind the reserved, almost fearful husband; today he is calm, strong, thanks to his new status.

Dressed in a white coat dress designed by her favorite dressmaker, Fiona Clare, the Queen indulges in handshakes and play. small talk so controlled by members of the royal family. At the convention, French and British authors, several literature students and a seemingly emotional Stephane Berne, almost at a loss for words in front of the woman whose life he details every day on radio or television. We do not judge, we who have shown neither reverence nor courtesy; just shyHello” out of place, surrendering to the royal charm of Camila’s tender hand.

By motorbike taxi in the pouring rain we tried to follow the safe convoy to which Charles III was attached to the town hall of Saint-Denis. While the King enjoys a crowd-bath at the Rugby World Cup Village and even ventures into a local pub, the Khedive, Queen Camilla and Brigitte Macron meet quietly with Dr Gada Hatem, gynecologist and founder of Maison des femmes. There, cut off from leaks and cameras, six women victims of violence testify to the care they received from this medical-social unit, established in 2016, without which they all claim they “wouldn’t be here anymore”. “After being abused as a child, I was followed here for two and a half years,” begins one of them shyly. It will always be where I belong.” “You have been through hell and you are all very brave,” replied the queen. There will never be enough ‘women’s centers’ to help all those who need it.”

The royal journey is enforced, the whole district is cordoned off. Delivery people are stuck on the street corner with their lukewarm meals, wet runners want a (hot) shower, and tardy students want their subway. Soon, the death of King Bentley and the famous royal salute revive the smiles. We suddenly hear shouts.Your majesty.– but they also complain, “they should have made it all the way to Saint-Denis…”. Yes, their teams were obviously very keen on it. As for their next stop, Porte d’Aubervilliers. This is where 19M is located, the temple of fashion crafts created by Chanel in 2022. The choice of this location is no accident, the Prince’s Trust, a charity founded by Charles (still Prince of Wales). In 1976, he supported sustainable fashion for a long time and signed a partnership with the said fashion house for this purpose. It is here that King Charles is welcomed, still in the rain, but above all to the thunderous applause that echoes from the corridors of every floor of the inner garden building, leaving the son of Elizabeth II… charmed. In a jovial mood (and laughter is truly infectious), he readily lends himself to the various craft workshops, which everyone congratulates a little when, accompanied by his wife, Brigitte Macron, he makes a more sober visit to the department. tweed from Maison Lesage, whose workshops are located at 19M. Of course, he gratefully receives the gift box offered by the town hall of Aubervilliers: a T-shirt and local herbs, which he immediately entrusts to his loyal soldier Jonathan Thompson, a man in the shadows who, despite himself, has become a star in the United States. The Kingdom, thanks to his good looks, the tank top he never takes off, and the nickname his fan club gives him, “Major Johnny Hot T.” But there is no time for a selfie, Brigitte Macron has left for other adventures, Bentley is about to leave, Camilla returns under her transparent umbrella. It’s almost tea time!