Two Royal Navy vessels have sailed into the heart of Paris to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale, the long-standing agreement between the UK and France, according to a press release.
Patrol boats HMS Dasher and HMS Trumpeter were invited to the French capital to celebrate this historic milestone, participating in a series of international events during their three-day stay.
The vessels, which also took part in the 80th D-Day commemorations on both sides of the Channel, embarked on a four-day, 230-mile journey up the Seine River to reach Paris. Their challenging passage was assisted by a French Navy officer on board.
Once in Paris, the patrol boats berthed near the Pont Mirabeau, just 800 metres from the Eiffel Tower.
During their stay, HMS Dasher and HMS Trumpeter participated in a maritime parade at Conflans St Honorine, 40 miles downstream of Paris, where the crew were introduced to the local mayor. In Paris, the sailors were hosted by British Ambassador Menna Rawlings at her residence and by the city’s branch of the Royal Naval Association.
The 12-day trip will conclude later this week in Le Havre, where a formal reception will be held for Ms Rawlings and other VIPs. “This trip has been a career highlight,” said Lieutenant Emma Morley, Commanding Officer of HMS Trumpeter. “Taking part in commemorative events for D-Day 80 and then sailing a ship up the Seine in support of the Entente Cordiale are things I’ve always dreamed of doing and I’m really proud of my ship’s company for making it happen.”
The Entente Cordiale, established in 1904, encompasses various agreements between the UK and France, covering diplomacy, trade, and defence. This agreement marked the end of centuries of hostility and frequent conflict between the two nations. In recent years, defence and security cooperation has been further strengthened by the Lancaster House Treaties, leading to initiatives such as the Combined Joint Expeditionary Force and joint defence projects, including autonomous mine warfare systems and anti-ship missile technology for both the Royal and French Navies.
This visit marks the first time in 20 years that the Royal Navy has visited the French capital, the last occasion being the centenary of the Entente Cordiale.
Thank God for the Royal Navy! This news is for those who do not believe in soft power. Great oaks from little acorns grow; a glimpse into the future of Europe; here we go again. An alliance with Britain (likely under a labour centre left government ) will have to save France from Le Pen, (and European as a whole, ) from its instinctive far right response to the twin pressures of mass immigration and Putin.
“Save France from Le Pen” and who’s going to save it from Macron, or save Europe from the federalists undermining everything from individual sovereignty to NATO? The twin pressures of mass immigration and foreign aggression require sterner policies and stronger leaders; the current crop of politicians have proven somewhat feeble in the main.
Don’t get me wrong, some of the parties and politicians emerging are nutters, but the far right label is being misapplied. Its like calling the Tories far right; they’re not, in many ways they’re the most centrist party, followed very closely by Labour on the other side of the fence.
Indeed, as the saying goes, we live in interesting times. What seems to have happened is that the right wing nutters have gone to Reform, the left wing Corbynistas and students have gone to the Greens and the libdems are the protest vote against the Tories if you can’t bring yourself to vote Labour. So the real choice is Conservative – the clue is the name- don’t change anything; or Labour who are suggesting pragmatic but far reaching policies which can be summarised I suppose as capitalism needs to be managed e.g a taxation system which rewards investing in businesses and people rather than selling them off to foreign owners.
Do you only like democracy when it returns a result you like? It’s not VAR, you shouldn’t be tribally railing against it when your club lose out, then cheering on a soft penalty shout for your guys.
I believe in enlightened self interest…I’m just enlightening people what’s going on 🙂
Well done Luke. Paul P, I am FAR from being a far right nutter, but thanks for that.
Well, the question is, when you cast your vote are you expressing your view on the issue that’s most important to you or are you choosing the future government? For example I think the Greens hearts are in the right place on the environment, I think the Libdems are right about sewage, I think Reform are right about family breakdown and its effect on housing and school attainment, and I think Starmer’s view on assisted dying is dangerous and corrosive. But… I think more people will get into work, more families will get a home, trains will be cheaper and energy and food security will be better with labour. I would like to vote Reform but that vote isn’t going to save any marriages. People have to do that for themselves. It’s all about choosing the team that will give society with the best prospects for my grandchildren. And since this is a defence site, that means keeping the nuclear deterrent and the seat on the UN security council, paying soldiers and housing their families well. Have a good one.
You are right of course. We all have to accept the Ref’s decision in life. Have a good one.
Thanks Paul, enjoy the solstice and the summer.
Hi folks hope all is well.
This is very nice to see, and of course keeps the close ties with France and the rest of Europe. However, it does appear over the last few years the UK is making all efforts to keep relationships going, although it’s not the same the other way. It’s just one way! Are we that desperate? France to date has almost had nearly a billion £s from the UK in helping with illegal migrants, no wonder they like us sailing our vessels up the the river Seine! Although not too keen for us to patrol French coast tackling the migrants. Wonder if we can ask for a rebate? Sorry a bit negative I know, but I’m slightly irritated by this matter.
Cheers
George
We’ve had plenty of French ships and subs visiting the UK, and at DSEI last year there was a Dutch AAW frigate, a Belgian patrol ship, and I think the original Baden-Wurtemberg frigate (the one that listed until fixed).
why should the French safeguard your borders exactly, that should fall squarely on you…also please, you talk about France not keeping the relationship alive and yet here you are, Brexit and all
Errmmm…aren’t asylum seekers supposed to claim asylum in first EU country they enter??? Even before Brexit that didn’t happen.
There is no obligation in the Refugee Convention, either explicit or implicit, to claim asylum in the first safe country reached by a refugees.
Ermmm France is not the first country they enter since most illegal migrants usually go via Italy and Greece. But keep blaming France for your problem is always a popular trope. As Tullzer said it not France’s job to safeguard another country’s borders.
Nothing should worry the French more than an Englishman who’s become slightly irritated. 😉
Perhaps in return, the French Government might persuade strike-infested Calais to make reliable entent cordial ferry ship visits to Dover?
maybe France should move the border to Dover, you know where it belongs, and let you handle your mess
I did some trips on these boats in the early 90s . 7 days at a time taking baby Tiffs from Collingwood out for some sea time experience. Ran one trip from Liverpool, the other from Brighton. Great little boats and at that time they were powered by CV12 engines I think (Same as Chally 1)
Going up the Manchester Ship Canal to Elsmere Port isn’t quite Paris… although I did get to see the underside of the Runcorn Bridge which was a first!