GB News’ Royal Correspondent Cameron Walker has provided his exclusive insight into engagements undertaken by the King, the Prince of Wales and the Princess of Wales during the French State Visit this week.
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KING MEETS LIFEBOAT VOLUNTEERS WHO RESCUED CHANNEL MIGRANTS
On Thursday, the King visited an RNLI station in Kent and met three crew members who were being honoured for rescuing migrants from the English Channel in December 2022.
Four people died and 43 were rescued when a small boat began taking on water.
His Majesty asked the lifeboat crew if they “get a lot” of those call-outs during a visit to Walmer Beach near Deal Castle.
“Not so much here,” replied volunteer Daniel Sinclair, who told King Charles that lifeboat stations in Ramsgate and Dover receive many more channel-crossing call-outs.
Sinclair told His Majesty the small boats were “not very seaworthy” and described the rescue as “traumatic”.
The King’s visit came just two days after he spoke about the migrant crisis, during a speech at a state banquet, marking the start of French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to the UK.
He spoke of “profound challenges” such as “irregular migration” across the English Channel.
The King’s visit to the RNLI also came on the same day Sir Keir Starmer and President Macron announced a new migrant return scheme, dubbed “one in, one out”.
On Friday, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper refused to say how many migrants would be returned to France under the new deal.
It was interesting timing for His Majesty to meet lifeboat volunteers when the political spotlight is currently firmly on illegal migration.
King meets lifeboat volunteers who rescued Channel migrants.
GB News / Getty
Princess Kate and Emmanuel Macron sat beside each other during the State Banquet.
Getty
INSIDE THE STATE BANQUET
On Tuesday, I was granted special access inside Windsor Castle, ahead of the state banquet to be held in honour of French President Macron.
Walking up the Grand Staircase, flanked by silver suits of armour and swords, I felt the centuries of history surround me.
It truly was breathtaking, walking through ancient rooms and corridors before entering the largest room in the castle.
St George’s Hall is roughly 55 metres long. I had been in the room several times before, but never when set for a state banquet.
This time, a 50-metre table, polished to a mirror shine, was set with the Grand Service – George IV’s silver-gilt dining service.
140 dishes, 288 dinner plates, 118 salts, 12 ice pails, 58 dessert stands and centrepieces, and 107 candelabra were used.
The Royal Collection Trust said: “The Service is so large and so magnificent that it has never been replaced.”
I wandered around the gigantic table, scribbling guests’ names in my notepad to report on later.
Ahead of the banquet beginning, I was escorted to a separate room in the castle to watch the King’s and the President’s speeches on a television screen.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get to sample the exquisite food prepared by celebrity chef and King’s Foundation Ambassador Raymond Blanc.
However, we were treated to a few sandwiches and cakes.
The Prince of Wales helped lead his team to victory.
Getty
PRINCE OF WALES SCORES
The Prince of Wales helped lead his team to victory as he scored a goal during a charity polo match at Guards Polo Club on Friday.
The event has raised £1.1million for 10 charities supported by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
In a further triumph for Prince William, one of the horses he was riding won “best playing pony”, which was paraded onto the pitch during the presentation of the trophies.
His Royal Highness affectionately stroked the horse in front of the cameras before accepting his own trophy.
I was on the sidelines watching the future King play in the match for the US Polo Association Team, which defended its title for the fifth consecutive year with an impressive 4-2 win.
This was the 14th time Prince William had played in the charity match. His participation raised £14million for “causes that the Prince and Princess are passionate about”, according to Kensington Palace.
Former England and Arsenal football captain Tony Adams is now chairman of trustees at the Forward Trust, which the Prince of Wales supports as royal patron.
The charity helps people recover from addiction and mental health problems.
Adams said: “Most charities are coming up against huge problems with fundraising… there’s Luther charities out there, children’s charities and cancer charities, but addiction is way down the line.”
The Prince of Wales is unlikely to take part in any public engagements until the autumn, when his children return to school after the summer holidays.
