120 years of the Entente Cordiale

Landmark ceremony at Palace for allies

- Emily Ferguson

THE Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh oversaw a historic Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace yesterday in celebration of 120 years of friendly Anglo-French relations.

Stepping in for the King while he continues his cancer treatment, Edward and Sophie watched French and British troops march together on the forecourt.

The occasion was the first time a non-Commonwealth country has been afforded the honour of participating in the traditional ceremony as the two nation's troops swapped roles in celebration of the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale.

Alliance

The landmark agreement - signed on April 8, 1904 - strengthened ties between the two nations and paved the way for the military alliance that formed after the outbreak of the First World War.

The royal couple inspected UK and French troops while the national anthems of both countries were played.