French troops joined their British counterparts at the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace on Monday in a show of solidarity between Britain and France, AP News reported.
British soldiers took part in an unprecedented joint military parade in front of the presidential Elysee Palace, while the French Army Choir sang two national anthems, “God Save the King” and “La Marseillaise.”
The dual events marked the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale, the 1904 diplomatic agreement between Britain and France that paved the way for their co-operation in both World War I and World War II.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the alliance served as a foundation for deepening Anglo-French relations, especially during the war in Ukraine.
Our Entente Cordiale remains as relevant as ever. Faced with the resurgence of war in Europe, we stand together to defend the values we share.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and his French counterpart, Stéphane Séjourné, called on allies to increase funding for Ukraine in a joint article published in The Daily Telegraph on Monday.
“It is not for France and Britain alone to solve these challenges. But, together, we can rally others to join us in overcoming them. We must do even more to ensure we defeat Russia. The world is watching – and will judge us if we fail.”
It was the first time that a country other than a Commonwealth member took part in the traditional Changing of the Guard ceremony, although French troops were not involved in guarding the royal residence, a ceremonial duty only performed by British or Commonwealth troops.
In Paris, 16 members of the Coldstream Guards became the first foreign troops ever to take part in guarding the French President’s residence.
Britain and France stated that Monday’s ceremonies were part of a wider programme this year to commemorate the two nations’ historic military and diplomatic ties. The programme includes major events in Normandy in June to commemorate the service of Allied veterans who fought to liberate France from Nazi occupation.
Last year King Charles III chose France as the destination of his first overseas visit since becoming monarch. The state visit was scheduled for March but was postponed until September due to major demonstrations in France.
