Entente Cordiale: France and the UK find novel way to mark 120 years

British soldiers have taken part in the traditional ‘changing of the guard ceremony' in front of the Elysée Palace in Paris for the first time, to celebrate 120 years of the Entente Cordiale between France and the UK.

In France today (April 8), 16 members of the UK Embassy's Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards - wearing their traditional ‘bearskin’ headdresses with black fur - took part in the ceremony, ‘replacing’ their French counterparts from two sections of the French 1st Infantry Regiment.

The French Army Choir then sang the two national anthems, God Save the King and La Marseillaise, all in the presence of President Emmanuel Macron and the British Ambassador to France, Menna Rawlings, as part of the cross-Channel events.

“This is the first time that a foreign unit has taken part in this military ritual,” said the Elysée in a statement. “This anniversary is an opportunity to promote the historic military, diplomatic, economic and cultural ties that unite France and the United Kingdom, and to reaffirm our shared values.”

Shared alliance…and a quote from Queen Elizabeth II

The Entente Cordiale was signed on April 8, 1904. Historians consider the agreement to be pivotal in the improvement of relations between the two countries after the Napoleonic Wars. 

As a major Franco-UK treaty at the start of the 20th century, it also marks the start of an alliance that would become the backbone of the countries’ unions against Germany in World War One and World War Two.

In a video on X (formerly Twitter), President Macron wrote: “Long live the Entente Cordiale, Vive l’amitié franco-britannique (Long live Franco-British friendship).”

He also delivered a message including: “France and the United Kingdom have succeeded in building a strong bilateral relationship, founded on the same democratic ideals…For 120 years, the Channel has no longer been a barrier, but a pathway…

“For 120 years, it has brought out the best of our contrasting and complementary cultures, as Queen Elizabeth II summed up better than anyone.”

He then said in English: “British pragmatism and French élan, French conceptualism and British humour, British rain and French sun.”

Read also: France charmed by King’s ‘almost perfect’ French

“At such a particular time in the life of the continent, with the Brexit vote and its implementation, with the return of war [to the European continent]…and immense challenges before us, this Entente Cordiale is in a way the foundation - so old, yet with such current relevance - that allows us to develop our bilateral relationship and to act together.”

‘Shared history and future’

Also in English, President Macron said: “Let’s hope that the sun shines this summer on the other major anniversary that we will both be celebrating together this year; the 80th anniversary of the Normandy and the Provence landings and the Liberation of France.

“We will never forget our shared history of sacrifice and comradeship…France and the United Kingdom don’t only have a long history to celebrate, but also a shared future to build. Let’s use the Entente Cordiale of the 21st century to nurture the friendship between our two peoples, and the shared causes we promote in the world.

“Long live the Entente Cordiale, and long live the Franco-British friendship,” he said.

Mr Macron also said that the two countries will celebrate our “shared love of sport this year” at the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak thanked Mr Macron in a reply, saying: “Thank you Emmanuel Macron. The relationship between our nations is as important today as it was in 1904.”

Read also: What did Macron and Sunak agree at UK-France summit?

French soldiers also took part in the equivalent ceremony in front of Buckingham Palace.