logo
King to underscore French and British bond in face of ‘complex threats'

King to underscore French and British bond in face of ‘complex threats'

Independent5 days ago
King Charles and Queen Camilla are hosting French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte for a three-day state visit to the UK.
The visit, the first by an EU head of state since Brexit, aims to underscore the crucial partnership between the two nations in tackling global challenges such as defence, technology, and climate change.
The itinerary includes a ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle, a carriage procession, and an opulent state banquet, with the Prince and Princess of Wales also participating.
Discussions between Mr Macron and UK leaders will focus on defence, economic growth, security, migration, and strategies for addressing small boat crossings, alongside support for a Ukraine peace deal.
The King will emphasise 1,000 years of shared history and culture, highlighting the enduring bond between Britain and France in the face of a 'multitude of complex threats'.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

The world's best (and worst) airlines, according to you
The world's best (and worst) airlines, according to you

Telegraph

timean hour ago

  • Telegraph

The world's best (and worst) airlines, according to you

Around 20,000 readers voted in the 2025 Telegraph Travel Awards, nominating their favourite destinations, hotels and holiday companies – and the results are in. Here we reveal how you rated the world's airlines. Did keep hold of its short-haul title? Has British Airways arrested its slide down the rankings? Will Wizz Air or Ryanair claim the dreaded wooden spoon? Read on to find out. The best short-haul airlines Top 10 (and change since 2023) – see the table below for the full rankings (=) Finnair (new entry) Turkish Airlines (new entry) Aegean Airlines (+1) Swiss (–3) Icelandair (–2) Loganair (+1) Austrian Airlines (+3) Norwegian (–3) LOT Polish Airlines (new entry) Having weathered the storm of the pandemic years, airlines have lately – it seems – been seeking to cash in. Telegraph Travel recently revealed how low-cost carriers have been hiking their baggage fees, with Ryanair raising its charges by up to 88 per cent in four years. Readers responded by voting it the worst short-haul airline, an 'honour' Wizz Air denied it in our last awards, held in 2023 (not that Wizz has much cause for celebration then – it still finished second from bottom). British Airways, which annoyed many frequent flyers by overhauling its loyalty scheme this year, continued to tumble down the rankings, coming 20th (out of 28), down from 12th (out of 23) in 2023. Low-cost giant easyJet was ranked two places higher. At the business end of the table, reigns supreme for the third awards in a row, with its combination of reasonable fares and reliably good customer service continuing to impress readers. It's all change on the rest of the podium, however, with Finnair and Turkish Airlines supplanting Swiss and Aurigny Air, which fell to 5th and 16th, respectively. At a glance Jet2 has retained the number-one spot it seized from Swiss in 2019. British Airways – now 20th – was voted best short-haul airline in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015/16. Four of your 10 favourite airlines in 2014 (Swiss, Icelandair, Jet2, Austrian Airlines) remain in the top 10 more than a decade later. Rising up the rankings were Austrian Airlines (+3 places), Aegean Airlines (+1), Loganair (+1) and KM Malta Airlines (+1). The biggest fallers were Aurigny Air (–13 places), British Airways (–8), EasyJet (–8), Vueling (–8), Ryanair (–6), Air France (–5) and Aer Lingus (–5). The best long-haul airlines Top 10 (and change since 2023) – see the table below for the full rankings Emirates (=) All Nippon Airways (new entry) Singapore Airlines (=) Qatar Airways (–2) Japan Airlines (–1) Virgin Atlantic (–1) Cathay Pacific (+2) EVA Air (–2) Air New Zealand (–2) Etihad (+2) British Airways has faced criticism from passengers for cutting costs and attempting to compete with its low-cost rivals, but nobody would accuse your favourite long-haul carrier of such methods, with one of its more recent innovations being the introduction of unlimited caviar for first-class flyers. Emirates topped this year's poll, retaining its title ahead of All Nippon Airways, a new entry in the rankings, and Singapore Airlines, the winner in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Virgin Atlantic slipped one place to sixth, but remains – by a mile – your favourite UK-based long-haul option, combining a tried-and-tested route map (mostly featuring Caribbean and US destinations) with its stylish Clubhouse lounge at Heathrow, plus onboard bars (which it will, alas, soon scrap) and always upbeat service. BA plummeted in the rankings from 23rd to 36th – its worst ever performance in the long-haul category. And the bottom of the class? That would be American Airlines, which came last out of 48 eligible carriers and, with its $35 (£26) checked luggage charges, is little more than another low-cost airline, critics say. At a glance Emirates, this year's winner, has never ranked lower than second place in any of the past seven Telegraph Travel Awards, going back to 2014. All Nippon Airways, which did not receive enough votes in 2023 to qualify, rocketed back to second place, meaning two Japanese airlines made the top five. Several of the West's legacy carriers have experienced a dramatic fall from grace, with British Airways falling from fourth in 2014 to 36th, Lufthansa from 19th to 39th and Air Canada from 17th to 29th. The biggest risers in the rankings this year were Turkish Airlines, Qantas and SAS – all up four places. In its first appearance in the rankings, plucky low-cost long-haul carrier Norse Atlantic finished a creditable 14th place.

New Caledonia to be declared a state in ‘historic' agreement – but will remain French
New Caledonia to be declared a state in ‘historic' agreement – but will remain French

The Guardian

time2 hours ago

  • The Guardian

New Caledonia to be declared a state in ‘historic' agreement – but will remain French

France has announced a 'historic' accord with New Caledonia in which the overseas territory, rocked by deadly separatist violence last year, would remain French but be declared a new state. 'A State of New Caledonia within the Republic: it's a bet on trust,' the French president, Emmanuel Macron, posted on X on Saturday, hailing a 'historic' agreement. Receiving the signatories later, the president said that 'after two agreements and three referendums, New Caledonia, through what you have signed, is opening a new chapter in its future in a peaceful relationship with France'. Macron had called for talks to break a deadlock between forces loyal to France and those wanting independence. New Caledonian elected officials, as well as political, economic and civil society leaders, gathered near Paris to hammer out a constitutional framework for the territory. After 10 days of talks, the parties agreed that a 'State of New Caledonia' should be created. Manuel Valls, the minister for overseas territories, called it an 'intelligent compromise' that maintains links between France and New Caledonia, but with more sovereignty for the Pacific island. The priority now is New Caledonia's economic recovery. Last year's violence, which claimed the lives of 14 people, is estimated to have cost the territory 2bn euros ($2.3 bn), shaving 10% off its gross domestic product, he said. The French prime minister, Francois Bayrou, said Saturday's deal – which still requires parliamentary and referendum approval – was of 'historic dimensions'. Home to about 270,000 people and located nearly 17,000km (10,600 miles) from Paris, New Caledonia is one of several overseas territories that remain an integral part of France. It has been ruled from Paris since the 1800s, but many indigenous Kanaks still resent France's power over their islands and want fuller autonomy or independence. Unrest broke out in May 2024 after Paris planned to give voting rights to thousands of non-indigenous long-term residents. Kanaks feared this would leave them in a permanent minority, crushing their chances of winning independence. As part of the agreement, New Caledonia residents will in future only be allowed to vote after having lived 10 years on the archipelago. The last independence referendum in New Caledonia was held in 2021, and was boycotted by pro-independence groups over the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Kanak population. It was the latest of three since 2018, all of which rejected New Caledonian independence. Since the 2021 referendum however, the political situation in the archipelago has been deadlocked. Macron declared in early June he wanted a 'new project' for New Caledonia. The 13-page agreement announced on Saturday calls for a New Caledonian nationality, and the possibility for residents there to combine that status with French nationality. Under the deal, a 'State of New Caledonia' would be enshrined in France's constitution, and other countries could recognise such a state. The deal also calls for an economic and financial recovery pact that would include a renewal of the territory's nickel processing capabilities. Both chambers of France's parliament are to meet in the fourth quarter of this year to vote on approving the deal, which is then to be submitted to New Caledonians in a referendum in 2026.

Senior aides to the King and Duke of Sussex pictured together in London
Senior aides to the King and Duke of Sussex pictured together in London

The Independent

time3 hours ago

  • The Independent

Senior aides to the King and Duke of Sussex pictured together in London

Senior aides to the King and Duke of Sussex have been pictured together in London in what is reported to be an initial step towards restoring the relationship between Harry and the rest of the royal family. Images obtained by the the Mail On Sunday show Meredith Maines, the duke's chief communications officer, and Liam Maguire, who runs Harry and Meghan's UK public relations team, meeting the King's communications secretary Tobyn Andreae at the Royal Over-Seas League near Clarence House. The Mail reports it is not known which side initiated the meeting, but a source told the paper: 'There's a long road ahead, but a channel of communication is now open for the first time in years. 'There was no formal agenda, just casual drinks. There were things both sides wanted to talk about.' Both parties have been contacted for comment. The rift between the Sussexes and the royal family opened significantly following their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, during which they alleged a member of the family was concerned about their son Archie's skin tone before he was born. Then the duke claimed in his controversial memoir, Spare, his brother the Prince of Wales had physically attacked him and that the King put his own interests above Harry's and was jealous of Meghan. Harry's level of security changed in 2020 when he and Meghan stepped down as working royals and moved to California for financial and personal freedom, and he suggested the royal family and officials hoped his realisation of the increased safety risk 'would force us to come back'. The duke failed in an appeal against the dismissal of his High Court claim against the Home Office, over the decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that he should receive a different degree of protection when in the UK. In a BBC television interview after losing the latest round in his court battle over his security, Harry claimed the King will not speak to him and he does not know 'how much longer my father has' as he spoke of his hopes for a 'reconciliation' with his family. Charles was diagnosed with cancer in February last year.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store