Royal Watch News

French 'welcome' Queen Elizabeth

May 28, 2009, 11:20 GMT

Britain's Queen Elizabeth has been told she is "welcome" at France's D-day celebrations.

The royal family was furious when French officials insisted they had had no plans to invite them to the official memorial services to mark the 65th anniversary of allied troops landing at Normandy.

But Sarkozy changed his tune yesterday (27.05.09), issuing a statement saying the queen is "naturally welcome in her capacity as head of the British state."

However, as it is not an official invitation, Buckingham Palace sources insist protocol prevents them sending an official royal delegation.

They also claim France has not given them enough time to plan a royal visit, as D-Day celebrations are due to take place in just nine days time, while the average regal tour takes more than six months to organise.

On Tuesday (26.05.09) representatives for President Sarkozy said they had never planned to invite the British royals and were concentrating on the "main event" of US president Barack Obama's attendance.

Elysee Palace spokesperson Luc Chatel said: "It is first and foremost a Franco-American ceremony given the recent election of President Obama."

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been officially invited to the event and is expected to attend.