FOR THE second time in three days a British city draped itself in red white and blue tricolours yesterday to welcome a celebrated Frenchman.
The reception given to Monsieur Cantona in Manchester on Sunday was a touch more raucous and spontaneous. But the reception for Monsieur Chirac in London yesterday scored heavily on symbolism, pomp and grandeur.
Le Roi Eric had to make do with an open topped double decker President Jacques Chirac rode in an open carriage with Queen Elizabeth along a tricolour festooned Mall to Buckingham Palace.
Once there, royal symbolism gave way to political symbolism. President Chirac, and his wife Bernadette, sat down to a state luncheon of British beef.
The Palace was at pains to point out, however, that the symbolism went only so far. Contrary to the assertions of certain Europhobic newspapers, the queen did not serve her guest beef Wellington. The menu was filet de boeuf aux nouilles Provencales.
Earlier President Chirac arrived by a scheduled Eurostar Channel tunnel train at Waterloo for a three day state visit, the first by a French President for 12 years. He will hold two hours of talks with the Prime Minister, Mr John Major, at Downing Street today, when beef will again be on the agenda.
The president will address both Houses of Parliament today. He is expected to assault British Euroscepticism head on, urging the government to join the single European currency in 1999 and stating that Europe needs Britain and that Britain like it or not needs Europe.
Tomorrow he flies to Glasgow with the Prince of Wales, to visit urban regeneration projects on the notorious Easterhouse housing estate.
Mr Chirac was greeted at Waterloo by Princess Margaret and driven to Horse Guards Parade for the formal reception by the queen.
The president's arrival at Horse Guards was marked by a rousing performance of the cancan by the 19th century Parisian composer Offenbach. Some members of the London French community, invited to attend the ceremony, appeared bemused by this choice. Others were just amused.
Reuter adds President Chirac made an unabashed appeal last night for Britain to put aside its reservations and work closely with France in the construction of Europe.
At a banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace he said he wanted France and Britain to strengthen their close and friendly ties even further.
"France British friendship must be a cornerstone of the construction of Europe, on which the future of our children depends. Let us build together this Union which will ensure prosperity for our peoples and for our countries jointly a role and a weight in world affairs in keeping with their prestigious past and their economic power," he said.
Earlier the queen gave Mr Chirac, a keen collector of antique porcelain, a pair of 18th century Worcester dishes. In return she received two large Medici porcelaine vases.
Before the banquet Chirac held talks with the opposition leader, Mr Tony Blair and, accompanied by Mr Major, laid a wreath at a statue of Charles de Gaulle in London.