Both UK & France do lavish State Visits very well but NOT everyone's in favour of such exhibitions of wealth & extravagance paid for by the public purse - Wait.. didn’t we hear that sentiment in 1789?
I agree with Roy’s viewpoint and find such extravagant expression of luxury somewhat passé. It’s fine to have a state visit fit for a king, but having over 100 guests, really?! Hugh Grant and Charlotte Gainsbourg, as talented actors as they may be, add nothing to the diplomatic relations. It’s not very tasteful in this current climate
I detect a great deal of French-bashing in this squib. The banquet and its guests reflect the era we live in. What should they have done? A show of regicide for Charles III? Maybe, just maybe, the French pulled out the red carpet at Versailles for a multitude of reasons, including that Charles is the keynote speaker at Cop 28…PS Comparaison n’est pas raison!!
I was of the view that not everyone would agree with Ray's article/point of view. Thanks for adding your voice, which as always adds real value.
As an individual I agree with you wholeheartedly. In fact I believe that the state visit for the diplomacy alone was very important, and healthy to read alternate views. However, as the editor and publisher, I encourage alternate voices in MyFrenchLife Magazine and Ray is very often, one of those. Sadly due to life changes and pressures he is no longer a contributor after a magnificent effort of 114 articles over 7 years! By publishing his last article in le Bulletin, I was trying, in a small way, to acknowledge his contribution and his voice.
Thank you for popping in to share your view. As the Fondatrice and Éditrice of MyFrenchLife.org Magazine and le Bulletin newsletter I encourage you to continue to express your opinions here.
The Contributor of this piece, Ray Johnstone, has chosen to live in France and has lived in the SW for decades. He is a supporter of France but on this topic he obviously disagrees with the financial impact on the public purse.
MyFrenchLife Magazine does not have a political learning and I endeavour to be open minded and to share the views of Contributors. As the publisher I encourage good healthy debate as is the norm in France.
As an individual, I actually enjoy state visits, especially the way they are enacted in France. In my opinion this state visit was an important statement of diplomacy - pomp and all.
Judy MacMahon
Fondatrice
PS: Ray has just resigned as a Contributor, this was his last piece and I'll miss his voice. Since June 2016 Ray has contributed 114 articles across a wide range of topics: as in life he continues to enjoy to 'stir the pot'.
I agree with Roy’s viewpoint and find such extravagant expression of luxury somewhat passé. It’s fine to have a state visit fit for a king, but having over 100 guests, really?! Hugh Grant and Charlotte Gainsbourg, as talented actors as they may be, add nothing to the diplomatic relations. It’s not very tasteful in this current climate
I detect a great deal of French-bashing in this squib. The banquet and its guests reflect the era we live in. What should they have done? A show of regicide for Charles III? Maybe, just maybe, the French pulled out the red carpet at Versailles for a multitude of reasons, including that Charles is the keynote speaker at Cop 28…PS Comparaison n’est pas raison!!
Bonjour Rachel
I was of the view that not everyone would agree with Ray's article/point of view. Thanks for adding your voice, which as always adds real value.
As an individual I agree with you wholeheartedly. In fact I believe that the state visit for the diplomacy alone was very important, and healthy to read alternate views. However, as the editor and publisher, I encourage alternate voices in MyFrenchLife Magazine and Ray is very often, one of those. Sadly due to life changes and pressures he is no longer a contributor after a magnificent effort of 114 articles over 7 years! By publishing his last article in le Bulletin, I was trying, in a small way, to acknowledge his contribution and his voice.
Thank you
Judy MacMahon
I disagree with the piece on the State Visit.
bonjour Duncan
Thank you for popping in to share your view. As the Fondatrice and Éditrice of MyFrenchLife.org Magazine and le Bulletin newsletter I encourage you to continue to express your opinions here.
The Contributor of this piece, Ray Johnstone, has chosen to live in France and has lived in the SW for decades. He is a supporter of France but on this topic he obviously disagrees with the financial impact on the public purse.
MyFrenchLife Magazine does not have a political learning and I endeavour to be open minded and to share the views of Contributors. As the publisher I encourage good healthy debate as is the norm in France.
As an individual, I actually enjoy state visits, especially the way they are enacted in France. In my opinion this state visit was an important statement of diplomacy - pomp and all.
Judy MacMahon
Fondatrice
PS: Ray has just resigned as a Contributor, this was his last piece and I'll miss his voice. Since June 2016 Ray has contributed 114 articles across a wide range of topics: as in life he continues to enjoy to 'stir the pot'.