After more than three months spent at Birkhall The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are returning to London, to host French President, Emmanuel Macron.
Mr Macron is coming across the Channel for a meeting with the royal couple at Clarence House, to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of General de Gaulle’s ‘Appel’ of 1940, Clarence House announced.
Prince Charles and Camilla are returning to London to welcome President Macron. Picture by Stephen Lock / i-Images
The President will mark Charles de Gaulle’s ‘Appel’ to the French population, which asked them to resist the German occupation of France.
The German military invaded their neighbouring country in May 1940, having annexed Poland in 1939. This is known as the Battle of France’.
De Gaulle spoke to the French people from exile in London, after the fall of France. He declared that the war for his nation was not yet over, and rallied his people in support of the Resistance. It is regarded as one of the most important speeches in French history.
Charles and Camilla will receive Macron on behalf of the Government.
The Prince last met Mr Macron in January, at the World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem, and again at Buckingham Palace in December for a NATO summit.
A Guard of Honour, formed by Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards, will accompanied by the Band of the Coldstream Guards to mark the occasion.
Prince Charles, 71, caught COVID-19 whilst in Scotland, but recovered from the illness quickly, only suffering mild symptoms. The Duchess, 72, did not contract the virus.
It makes them the first Royals ‘back to work’ from the pandemic. The Queen remains at Windsor Castle, while the Cambridge family is in Norfolk.
You can read a translation of De Gaulle’s speech below:
“The leaders who, for many years, have been at the head of the French armies have formed a government. This government, alleging the defeat of our armies, has made contact with the enemy in order to stop the fighting. It is true, we were, we are, overwhelmed by the mechanical, ground and air forces of the enemy. Infinitely more than their number, it is the tanks, the aeroplanes, the tactics of the Germans which are causing us to retreat. It was the tanks, the aeroplanes, the tactics of the Germans that surprised our leaders to the point of bringing them to where they are today.
“But has the last word been said? Must hope disappear? Is defeat final? No!
“Believe me, I who am speaking to you with full knowledge of the facts, and who tell you that nothing is lost for France. The same means that overcame us can bring us victory one day. For France is not alone! She is not alone! She is not alone! She has a vast Empire behind her. She can align with the British Empire that holds the sea and continues the fight. She can, like England, use without limit the immense industry of the United States.
“This war is not limited to the unfortunate territory of our country. This war is not over as a result of the Battle of France. This war is a world war. All the mistakes, all the delays, all the suffering, do not alter the fact that there are, in the world, all the means necessary to crush our enemies one day. Vanquished today by mechanical force, in the future we will be able to overcome by a superior mechanical force. The fate of the world depends on it.
“I, General de Gaulle, currently in London, invite the officers and the French soldiers who are located in British territory or who might end up here, with their weapons or without their weapons, I invite the engineers and the specialised workers of the armament industries who are located in British territory or who might end up here, to put themselves in contact with me.
“Whatever happens, the flame of the French resistance must not be extinguished and will not be extinguished. Tomorrow, as today, I will speak on the radio from London.”
