Mick Jagger joins royal at banquet as king addresses senate today – live

Brigitte Macron and Camilla have launched a new Franco-British Literary prize to honour the cross-channel cultural connection between the countries.

One of Queen Camilla’s biggest passions is literacy, she hopes to help combat illiteracy during her reign.

King Charles III followed in his mother Queen Elizabeth II’s footsteps to plant a tree in the garden of the British Residence in Paris.

Planting trees is a longstanding custom amongst the royals to symbolise the hope and continuity of the Royal family.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his admiration for the King by sharing a video on X.

The footage shows the King and President making their way down the tourist lined streets of Paris as they greet onlookers.

France pulled out all the stops to give an extravagant welcome to King Charles and Queen Camilla – from a red carpet runway to a lavish state banquet.

The trip comes six months late as riots sparked by pension reforms broke out all over the country, making it unsafe for the trip to go ahead.

The British monarchs touched down yesterday at Paris-Orly airport at 2pm and were greeted by French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne, other diplomats and guardsmen.

The windy weather left Queen Camilla who was dressed head-to-toe in dusky pink grappling onto her hat as she followed her husband down the stairs.

Next, the couple arrived at the Arc-de-Triomphe where they were greeted by Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron to be met with a grand remembrance ceremony.

Macron and Charles laid wreaths and the King lit the eternal flame which burns in memory of those who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars. Fighter jets flew above as they let off vapour trails in both nations’ colours- red, white and blue.

Next, the leaders exchanged gifts at the Palace Elysées. Charles gave Mr Macron a book containing photographs of the pair together, as well as a complete edition of French philosopher Voltaire’s writings. In return, Mr Macron gave the King a golden coin featuring Charles’s portrait, as well as a prize-winning French novel. They later planted an oak tree, in a tradition started by Queen Elizabeth I.

To end the symbolic day, they were joined by 160 guests in a lavish black-tie state dinner at the Palace of Versailles. Hugh Grant and Mick Jagger were amongst the star-studded guest list who dined on lobster, Bresse chicken and cheese.

It’s day number two of three of the royal state visit in France and King Charles is set to make history today.

For the first time ever, the monarch will address the French Senate where he will discuss the important friendship between the UK and France.

A Guard of Honour will line the King’s route to the Salle des Conferences where he will meet representatives from the Senate and National Assembly and sign the visitors’ book before entering the chamber to deliver his address.

Charles and Camilla are then set to meet sports stars in Saint-Denis, where France is hosting the Rugby World Cup.

The King and Queen will be joined for the visit by Brigitte Macron as well as sports personalities before visiting a coffee shop on the town square where they will meet beneficiaries of Objectif Emploi, an organisation in Saint-Denis that helps vulnerable young people to find careers, and representatives from The Prince’s Trust International.

Next, they will visit the fire-damaged Notre Dame Cathedral and the Paris flower market named after his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

09:30 King Charles delivers speech at French Senate 10:45 King Charles and Queen Camilla meet young people and sports stars in Saint-Denis13:10 King Charles visits a Paris flower market and Notre Dame17:45 Macron and King Charles meet at Elysee to say goodbye

Live updates on King Charles and Queen Camilla’s three-day state visit to France will resume on Wednesday.