Charles and Camilla attend VE Day Commemorations in Lyon

 May 9, 2018

Solemn Charles and Camilla pay their respects at VE Day Commemorations in Lyon as they kick off the second leg of their royal tour

  • Prince Charles, 69, and the Duchess of Cornwall, 70, landed in Nice today 
  • Their first engagement was a visit to the site of the 2016 Bastille Day attack
  • The royals laid a bouquet and signed a book of condolence at the monument 
  • The couple are embarking on a five-day tour of France and Greece 

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have arrived in Lyon for the second leg of their royal tour.

Charles, 69 and Camilla, 70, paid their respects to fallen servicemen at a VE Commemoration service on Tuesday after kicking off their five-day visit to France and Greece yesterday.

The couple visited Lyon’s Parc Tête d’Or, where they were greeted by Georges Képénékian, Mayor of Lyon and David Kimelfeld, President of Lyon Metropolitan Area.

During the ceremony, Charles laid a wreath before meeting veterans and schoolchildren who will have participated in the ceremony, as well as members of the public.

Camilla and Charles observe a moment of silence at Monday’s VE Commemorations, held at Lyon’s Parc TÍte d’Or on Tuesday morning

Paying his respects: During the ceremony, Charles laid a wreath (pictured) before meeting veterans and schoolchildren who will have participated in the ceremony

Clad in a navy pinstripe suit, the Prince of Wales looked to be in good spirits as he spoke to veterans as well as members of the public

During the Second World War, Lyon’s location in the Southern zone made it a key city for Free France and it fulfilled a major role in the redeployment of administrative services from Paris.

On 11th November 1942, German troops invaded the Southern zone and occupied the city. 

The Germans and the Vichy auxiliary police, tracked down the members of the resistance and made many arrests. Today, the town centre war memorial is dedicated to resistance members rounded up by the Germans.

Every year, the town invites ex-combatants, resistance members and victims of World War II to the annual VE Day ceremony. 

The Duchess of Cornwall, 70, wore a simple white dress which she teamed with leather courts and her trademark string of pearls

The couple were joined by dignitaries including Georges Képénékian, Mayor of Lyon and Mr David Kimelfeld, President of Lyon Metropolitan Area

Flag bearers for the ceremony are ex-combatants and include British individuals bearing the United Kingdom and British Legion flags. 

Next, the couple will visit the Les Halles Market Association and visit stalls selling cheese, charcuterie, wine, cakes, and chocolate, before viewing a cookery demonstration.

They will also visit Interpol’s headquarters where they will view a plaque dedicated to police killed on duty before viewing the Command and Coordination Centre and meeting staff working across the illegal wildlife trade, modern slavery and works of art.  

Charles looked to be in a reflective mood as he laid a wreath during Tuesday’s VE Day Commemorations, held at Lyon’s Parc Tete d’Or

Large crowds gathered around the monument this morning to pay their respects to those who lost their lives during WWII

Charles will also visit the student population of the ISARA University in Lyon, which specialises in food and environmental studies while Camilla will visit a local charity providing assistance to women. 

Camilla will wrap up her busy day with a visit to Emmaus, a charity that supports formerly homeless people by providing them with a home and helping them find work in social enterprises. 

The Duchess has been a patron of Emmaus since 2006. 

The royal couple made the short journey from Nice to the medieval village of Eze yesterday afternoon after arriving in the South of France earlier on Monday. 

Day one: On Monday the couple were welcomed by Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, and his wife Laura Tenoudji, as they arrived at the Villa Massena, in Nice

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall landed in Nice yesterday to kick off their five-day tour of France and Greece

Their first stop was to a monument paying tribute to the victims of the city’s Bastille Day terror attack.  

Later this week, the couple will arrive in Athens where they will attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier before receiving an official welcome at the Presidential Mansion and Prime Minister’s Residence.

During their stay in the Greek capital, the prince will also lay a wreath at the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery before the couple carry out a number of other engagements to celebrate the UK and Greece’s longstanding maritime relationship.

Their first official tour of Greece will also celebrate youth opportunity and the countries’ charitable and education connections. 

Source: Read Full Article