The article “King Charles III and Queen Camilla end their visit to France with a stopover in Bordeaux” relates the last leg of the British royal couple’s French tour. After exploring environmental themes during their various meetings, King Charles III and Queen Camilla chose Bordeaux, a city emblematic of French historical and ecological heritage, to end their visit.
Warmly welcomed by the French Minister of Defense, Sébastien Lecornu, and the local authorities at Bordeaux-Mérignac airport, King Charles III made a point of meeting the city’s environmentalist mayor, Pierre Hurmic. The latter declared a state of climate emergency after his election in 2020, making Bordeaux a pioneer city in the fight against climate change.
The mayor of Bordeaux highlighted the historical links between the city and Great Britain, dating back to the marriage of Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine, to the future King Henry II Plantagenet in 1152, marking the start of three centuries of English domination in the region. These historical links are accompanied by recognition of the city of Bordeaux for its efforts in terms of the environment and climate, which were of particular interest to King Charles III.
As part of his drive to promote a more sustainable lifestyle, King Charles III visited an experimental forest in Floirac, where scientists are studying the impact of environmental changes, such as drought, on the region’s forests. This visit takes on its full meaning in a context marked by the gigantic fires of the previous year.
The royal couple also visited Château Smith Haut Lafitte, a vineyard converted to biodynamics. In addition to the pleasure of tasting a 2005 Grand Cru Classé, this visit allowed Camilla to discover the llamas who help weed the estate’s land. This wine escapade offered a striking contrast with the overproduction crisis currently affecting the Bordeaux vineyards.
King Charles III, defender of the environment and sustainable development, therefore highlighted his commitment during his visit to France. His desire to raise awareness among other leaders about climate issues, his organic farm and his initiatives to reduce his ecological footprint illustrate his determination to advance environmental issues at the international level.
The choice of Bordeaux to end his visit to France underlines the importance of this city in the ecological transition, as well as the strong historical links between France and Great Britain. King Charles III and Queen Camilla were able to demonstrate France’s commitment to fighting climate change and promoting a more sustainable way of life..
This remarkable visit by the British royal couple highlights the growing importance given to environmental issues and reinforces the need for international cooperation to preserve our planet.