By Noemie OlivePARIS (Reuters) - King Charles' state visit to France, from Wednesday to Friday, may be seen politically as a chance to rebuild ties between the two countries, but some Parisians said they were not impressed, and that they missed the late Queen Elizabeth.
Charles, and his wife Queen Camilla, will be guests of honour at a state banquet in the gilded Versailles palace during the visit to France, Charles' first since becoming king a year ago.
All this combined together doesn't create much interest," said Mireille, a retiree who liked Queen Elizabeth and her horses.
Fifteen year-old Alexia Aubert said: "I think since Elizabeth died, the Royal family isn't as important as it was, King Charles isn't as important and symbolic as Elizabeth, so it doesn't really matter if he comes or not."
In Britain, polls suggest Charles is less popular than his mother, who had strong support from much of the public.
Persons:
Olive PARIS, King Charles, Queen Elizabeth, Charles, Queen Camilla, France's Patrouille, He's, Mireille, Alexia Aubert, Elizabeth, King Charles isn't, Edouard Val de Lievre, Michael Holden, Ingrid Melander, Bernadette Baum
Organizations:
Notre, Dame, Arrows, Britons
Locations:
France, Versailles, Britain, Paris, England