UK: LONDON: FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC VISIT

(14 May 1996) Natural Sound

Beef is dominating the first state visit to Britain by French President Jacques Chirac.

It was even on the menu for lunch with Queen Elizabeth.

But Buckingham Palace stressed that it wasn't beef Wellington - the dish named in honour of the British general who defeated Napoleon.

President Chirac's four-day trip, packed with pomp and ceremony, aims to cement Anglo-French relations.

President Jacques Chirac made history by stepping off a Eurostar train at London's Waterloo station, the first head of state to arrive in London via the Channel Tunnel.

It was a symbolic gesture, aimed at illustrating just how close Britain and France have become.

He was greeted by Princess Margaret, the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth.

During his visit, he'll be treated to all the pomp and ceremony of a lavish state visit.

This began with an official welcome in the open air at Horse Guards Parade in central London from Queen Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip.

President Chirac also met Britain's Prime Minister John Major, the Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind and Michael Howard, the Home Secretary.

Chirac inspected an honour guard from the 1st Battalion of the Irish Guards, all in bearskin hats, before travelling down the Mall to Buckingham Palace in the scarlet and gold State Carriage.

President Chirac and his wife Bernadette will stay at Buckingham Palace with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

And on Tuesday night they'll attend a state banquet at the palace.

But for their first official meal - a private lunch - they'll be served British beef.

Chirac's spokeswoman told reporters the president would eat the beef. Buckingham Palace deliberately circulated the menu to journalists to disprove that Beef Wellington was being served. Instead, beef, Provence style with noodles was on offer.

Anglo-French relations improved when Britain stood by President Chirac during France's nuclear tests in the South Pacific.

But those relations have been strained by the mad cow row, when France became the first country to ban imports of British beef in March.

As part of his visit, President Chirac will make a rare address to both Houses of Parliament on Wednesday.

And on Thursday he'll travel north to Scotland, where he'll see the problems of a run-down housing estate first-hand.

He's expected to use the visit to hammer home his desire that Britain sign up for a single European currency.

Other political aims include establishing a joint initiative to co-operate on humanitarian missions and closer naval links.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/575a9a2f651b4e93aef0d4b0986918f1

Видео UK: LONDON: FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC VISIT канала AP Archive