CHANGEMENT DE LA GARDE

British and French troops mark 120 years of alliance

- ADAM ASPINALL

TROOPS from both nations enjoyed rendezvous in Paris and London yesterday to mark 120 years since the Entente Cordiale was signed.

French soldiers took part in the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, while their UK counterparts did the same at the Elysee Palace.

Crowds gathered to celebrate the furthering of friendly relations following the 1904 agreements.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh stepped in for King Charles, who is continuing his cancer treatment, and Queen Camilla.

Edward and Sophie inspected 32 members of the 1st and 2nd Infantry regiments of the Garde Republicaine and 40 guardsmen from F Company Scots Guards at Buckingham Palace.

The royals were joined by General Sir Patrick Sanders, UK Chief of General Staff; the French chief of the army staff, General Pierre Schill, and France’s ambassador to the UK, Helene Duchene.

Members of the Gendarmerie Garde Republicaine also marched behind the British Army’s Band of the Grenadier Guards.

The event was the first time a non-Commonwealth country has taken part in the Changing of the Guard ceremony.

The MoD said French soldiers did not guard the palace but only took part in the ceremonial event as UK and Commonwealth troops protect the palace. Major Jamie Drummond-Moray, Officer Commanding  Company Scots Guards, added: “It is an enormous privilege for us to host the French here in London and to play such a significant part in a ceremony that has never happened before with a nonCommonwealth country.