Mohamed bin Zayed begins ‘state visit’ to France from historic Hôtel des Invalides
President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan started on Monday a state visit to France, during which he will meet Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived today at noon at the Hôtel des Invalides, where he will receive the highest-level guests of France.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held an official welcoming ceremony at the Hôtel des Invalides before heading to the Elysee to meet with President Emmanuel Macron.
The French guest was accompanied by a group of cavalry members of the French Republican Guard and motorbikes to welcome him.
After that, the national anthem of the United Arab Emirates and France were played. A group of honor guards stood in tribute to Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the commander of the guard then presented the military units participating in the reception.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also visited the Napoleon Bonaparte memorial at the Palace of Anfal.
Importance of Hôtel des Invalides
Officer Marie of the Paris Governor’s Office, a member of the organization of the official reception ceremony for Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said that Paris will offer all aspects of the French military honors to the President of the United Arab Emirates, in a manner befitting the French guests who are senior kings and heads of state on state visits.
Marie said that the governor of Paris is the director and supervisor of the palace, pointing out that since King Louis XIV built the palace, France has kept the custom of receiving big guests in this palace.
