'Infinite gratitude': Emmanuel Macron thanks London for helping French resistance to Hitler
The French president hails London as the "cradle of Free France" as he marks 80 years since General de Gaulle's historic address.
Thursday 18 June 2020 21:17, UK
Emmanuel Macron has expressed "infinite gratitude" for the vital role London played in giving France a voice and platform to fight Hitler and the Nazis during the Second World War.
He said the fledgling forces of Free France received their "first weapon" in the fightback against Nazi Germany from the UK, a BBC microphone used by General Charles de Gaulle in his historic address.
Mr Macron travelled to London to mark the 80th anniversary of de Gaulle's speech, which rallied the French people in the aftermath of the occupation of France in 1940.
The French Resistance fought against Nazi rule in the years that followed, as well as the Vichy France regime that emerged following the occupation.
The D-Day landings in Normandy in June 1944 marked a turning point in the conflict, with Paris liberated by the allies in August.
Berlin, the German capital, fell the following year, bringing the war in Europe to an end after almost six years.
Mr Macron spoke in the shadow of General de Gaulle's statue in Carlton Gardens, where the Free French had their headquarters.
"Britain gave shelter to France," the French president said.
"This is where de Gaulle was able to form the first ranks of the French army which would go on fighting. The soldiers of London.
"This is where de Gaulle was able to call on the French people to join the resistance. The soldiers of the shadows.
"Because 80 years ago today, on June 18 1940, the United Kingdom gave Free France its first weapon, a BBC microphone.
"So the airwaves carried de Gaulle's determined words and spirit of resistance, which built a bridge across the Channel for those refusing to be enslaved or give up their freedom."
The framed insignia of France's highest decoration, the Legion d'Honneur, was behind the president as he spoke.
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It has been awarded to London for its support of France during the Second World War.
Mr Macron was welcomed to Britain by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, who stood nearby.
Also listening were French and British dignitaries, including Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and London mayor Sadiq Khan.
Mr Macron also praised Sir Winston Churchill, who was prime minister from 1940 to 1945.
The statue of the former PM had been uncovered for the visit, having been targeted by protesters in recent weeks.
"Winston Churchill personified the tenacity of a nation which refused to yield and which did not yield," Mr Macron said.
"He said he had nothing to offer but 'blood, toil, tears and sweat'.
"Yet he offered something so much more important: determination, faith in victory, honour and pride."
The French president also laid a wreath at the statues of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
He praised the wartime spirit of the couple and their children, saying they displayed "calm determination" and "helped forge national unity".
Mr Macron hailed London as the "cradle of Free France" and added: "I wanted to express the French Republic's infinite gratitude to the city of London by awarding it, in a wholly exceptional capacity, the cross of the Legion d'Honneur."
It was presented to the Prince of Wales, who replied, in French and English: "Your presence here today, Mr President, is a powerful demonstration of the bond between our two countries, and between our people, and of our shared determination that it must endure.
"It is a bond forged through common experience, sanctified through shared sacrifice and burnished by the deep affection in which we hold each other.
"Time and again our countries have stood together against tyranny and oppression, joining arms to defend the values we hold most dear."
With handshakes off the agenda due to coronavirus social distancing guidelines, Charles greeted Mr Macron with a namaste gesture, clasping the palms of his hands together.
The French president later met Prime Minister Boris Johnson for talks in Downing Street.
Number 10 said the pair discussed a range of subjects, including Brexit, coronavirus, Libya, Hong Kong and the Middle East.
They then observed a flypast of the Red Arrows and their French equivalent, La Patrouille de France.
Mr Macron's trip to London was his first foreign trip since the coronavirus pandemic.
He was exempt from the UK's quarantine because there is an exception for "Representatives of a foreign country... travelling to the UK to undertake official business with the UK".