King Charles and Queen Camilla are in France for the second day of their three-day state visit
The King spoke for around 20 minutes on the Senate floor in Paris - giving his speech mainly in French
He said the late Queen was a "golden thread" in the "tapestry" between France and the UK
He also praised both countries' "shared commitment to freedom and democracy"
He was the first British monarch to speak on the floor of the upper house of the French parliament
The King was given a standing ovation by members of the upper and lower houses as he entered the chamber
Francesca Gillett
Live reporter
We're now pausing our live coverage of the King's state visit to France - thank you for following.
This morning's updates were brought to you by Gem O'Reilly, Suneil Asar, Adam Durbin, Owen Amos and myself in London, as well as Sean Coughlan in Paris. To read Sean's write-up from this morning, that's here.
King Charles III began the second day of his three-day state visit to France by addressing the French parliament, becoming the first British monarch to speak on the floor of the Senate.
The King spoke for around 20 minutes, giving his speech mainly in French but dipping into English at times. He spoke about France’s love for the Queen and thanked them for “the great kindness” they showed when she died.
He also spoke about the war in Ukraine - saying the UK and France are united in support of Ukraine against the “horrifying” Russian invasion. And he also mentioned tackling climate change - a cause he has previously campaigned about.
Elsewhere in his speech, Charles spoke about the two countries’ cultural and sporting links. He got a round of applause when he said “no low blows, and may the best win” when talking about the Rugby World Cup.
The end of the speech was greeted with a standing ovation. Later he and Camilla have more engagements in and around Paris before they head to Bordeaux tomorrow.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have been meeting French sport stars in Saint-Denis, in the northern suburbs of Paris.
The King was gifted a Paris Saint Germain shirt by the soccer club's Qatari president, Nasser al-Khelaifi, and also met PSG defender Presnel Kimpembe as well as former Chelsea star Didier Drogba.
Meanwhile Camilla also played table tennis at a local youth sports association.
Image source, EPACharles met Paris Saint Germain soccer club's president Nasser al-Khelaifi - and was given a number 3 shirt in a nod to being Charles III
Image source, EPAAs well as Qatari businessman al-Khelaifi - who he's shaking hands with here - the King also met the Saint-Denis mayor as well as former Chelsea footballer Didier Drogba
Image source, EPAMeanwhile Camilla was pictured joining in a game of ping pong
While King Charles gave his speech at the Senate, Queen Camilla launched a new Franco-British literary prize alongside Brigitte Macron, France's first lady.
The prize is reportedly to be presented from 2024 to recognise young adult fiction.
Camilla - who is a fan of reading - launched it at the Bibliotheque Nationale de France, where she and Mrs Macron also examined first editions of classic French works.
Image source, PA MediaThe pair with the president of France's national library
Image source, PA MediaQueen Camilla spoke with actress Celia Imrie during the visit
Sean Coughlan
Reporting from Paris
It’s pouring in Paris as the royal visit continues after the King’s speech to the Senate.
There are engagements about sport, including meeting former Chelsea star Didier Drogba.
The Queen has launched a new Anglo-French literary prize, reminding guests that she was a student in Paris 60 years ago.
And there will be a visit to see the progress of restoration work at Notre Dame Cathedral which was hit by fire.
But it’s a day for umbrellas if there are any crowds hoping to see the royal visitors.
Tomorrow, Charles and Camilla will visit Bordeaux - which as he mentioned in his speech just now, was the first city to be twinned with a British city, Bristol, in 1947.
Image source, ReutersUmbrellas are out again as the King leaves the Senate with Camilla
The King received a round of applause from French senators after saying "may the best win" the Rugby World Cup, which is currently being hosted in France.
King gets applause for saying 'may best win' Rugby World Cup
King Charles III has just finished his speech to the French Senate, making him the first British monarch to speak on the floor of the upper house of the French parliament.
He mainly spoke in in French although there were a few parts where he switched back into English.
Image source, ReutersThe King was greeted with a round of applause and left to a standing ovation
Image source, ReutersDuring his speech, Charles reflected on the importance of both countries coming together to tackle climate change
Image source, ReutersCharles thanked France for their condolences during his mother's mourning period and said his mother and grandmother inspired him to keep France in his life
Image source, ReutersThis is the second day of the King's three-day visit to France
King Charles described how inspired he is by his mother and grandmother to have France as "an essential part of the fabric" of his own life.
He describes his mother, the late Queen, as a "golden thread" that binds our nations - and that this thread will forever shine brightly. He adds that he wishes her memory will provide encouragement to weave bonds between the two countries "with love".
King: 'The golden thread which my mother was, shall always shine'
Sean Coughlan
Reporting from Paris
Image source, Getty ImagesThe finale to the King’s speech is greeted with a standing ovation and loud applause in the Senate chamber.
He looks around and seems rather moved.
Much of it was delivered in French, which went down well too.
It was a call to "cherish and nurture" the entente cordiale between France and Britain.
It was a serious speech, without many gags, highlighting a long democratic alliance and the need to stand together in modern battles in Ukraine and against climate change.
Switching back into English, the King talks about the UK and France's cultural and sporting links - saying: "Millions of us visit each other’s countries every year.
"Tens of thousands of British rugby fans are currently following their national team around France, enjoying the fantastic spectacle of the Rugby World Cup - my son and daughter-in-law among them."
He says the two countries share mutual admiration and commitment to the rules of the game before saying, in French, that “pas de coups bas, et que le meilleur gagne!” - which translates as "no low blows, and may the best win!"
Image source, Getty ImagesSean Coughlan
Reporting from Paris
With Rishi Sunak’s changes over the plans to hit net zero, there’s a lot of attention on whether there will be any coded criticism from the King.
But monarchs speak on the advice of ministers and this official speech carefully emphasises the priority of tackling climate change, but without making any political challenge.
In a section delivered in French, he says: “Although the challenge facing our planet is both great and grave, it has been increasingly heartening to see action that is being taken by our governments, our people and more and more by the private sector.”
Diplomatic language, but expect future scrutiny of any signs of a rift between Downing Street and Buckingham Palace over the environment.
Sean Coughlan
Reporting from Paris
Image source, ReutersThe King’s speech to the French Senate has an unusually strongly worded call that Ukraine must win its war against the “horrifying” Russian invasion.
He invokes the unity of Britain and Charles De Gaulle’s Free French resistance movement in the Second World War as an example of the need to stand together against “unprovoked aggression on our continent”.
Free France (France Libre) was the political entity which claimed to be the legitimate government during the Nazi occupation of the country between 1940 and 1944.
In a section delivered in French, he says: "Together we are steadfast in our determination Ukraine will triumph and that our cherished freedoms will prevail."
There’s not much room for ambiguity there.
Image source, Getty ImagesKing Charles opens his speech in French by saying how honoured and flattered he is to have been invited into this "hallowed chamber".
He explains the vitality of the partnership forged between the UK and France, saying they will always be "allies and best friends".
Charles then reflects on the tributes that were paid to the Queen across France last year - and dips back into English at times.
Switching back to French he highlights the words the presidents of the National Assembly and the Senate wrote at the time of her death, that "she was the embodiment of British democracy with true dignity".
He says those words were important for he and his family - and thanks France for the great kindness they gave at a time of such sorrow.
Charles also says, in English, that just as his grandmother and mother portrayed, France has been "an essential part of the fabric" of his own life - and "this is my thirty-fifth official visit to France".
"In the rich and complex tapestry of the relationship between France and the United Kingdom, my mother’s golden thread will forever shine brightly," he says. "Let it inspire us all."
King Charles gets some laughs after opening his speech at the French Senate in Paris.
He says - in French - that he was all too conscious of the fact that his visit falls ahead of the formal return for both chambers of parliament and he "can only apologise for having intruded on your break".
Image source, ReutersAfter welcoming King Charles, the president of the National Assembly - France's lower house of Parliament - praises the UK's history of democracy.
Yael Braun-Pivet says (in French, of course) that "the UK could claim royalties on the idea of parliamentary system and in that case every democratic system would have to pay the royalties".
The president of the French National Assembly, Yael Braun-Pivet, is introducing the King to the assembled politicians and dignitaries.
Stick with us and we'll bring you the key moments from his speech (helpfully translated, for fellow non-French speakers amongst us).
Sean Coughlan
Reporting from Paris
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Senate chamber has given King Charles a very warm reception as he arrives, with a long round of applause.
There are grizzled politicians getting themselves lined up for selfies and sending back pictures of the visit of "le roi".
King Charles has arrived at the Senate in Paris, alongside the President of the French National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet.
Image source, Reuters
Image source, ReutersSean Coughlan
Reporting from Paris
King Charles has been winning over his audiences in Paris by deploying his French language skills.
He switched between French and English for his speech at the state banquet and will do the same when he addresses the Senate.
The King also speaks German and Welsh.
In terms of his family, his mother the late Queen was a fluent French speaker and she was seen as having a great affection for the country and its language.
When French presidents visited Britain she’d been seen chatting away to them in French.
Watch King make French-language toast at last night's banquet
Our reporters Sean Coughlan and Lewis Vaughan Jones are in Paris
We're gearing up to hear King Charles speak on the second day of his royal visit to France.
Yesterday we saw an abundance of ceremony as the King and Queen Camilla were greeted with a flypast trailing the colours of the French and British flags at the Arc de Triomphe.
Today you can watch his speech in French by clicking play at the top of this page.
Stay tuned and we will commence shortly - the speech is expected to begin in about five minutes.