header-logo header-logo

Entente cordiale: a tale of two visits

03 November 2023 / Michael L Nash
Issue: 8047 / Categories: Features , Constitutional law
printer mail-detail
145182
Michael L Nash considers the role of the King as diplomat

‘The French don’t seem to like us very much,’ remarked one of the King’s suite as the royal train steamed into Paris, and the crowd seemed hostile. ‘Why should they?’ remarked the wiser King. (Ridley, Jane, Bertie, Chatto & Windus, (2012), p 378)

This one exchange sums up the essence of the royal and national relationship of the English and the French over many centuries: indeed, the King’s wish to start changing the mutual antagonism is made the more significant, as the 1903 visit, made on his own initiative, and with only his inner circle cognisant of his real intentions, was the first such visit since 1431!

Again, it is significant, for England had been ruled by a French dynasty since 1066, and then, during the reign of Henry V, had reversed the situation and become Kings of France, a title they held, for real until 1558, and quartered on their shields, and proclaimed

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
back-to-top-scroll