English Royals in the Loire Valley
Château de Chaumont
When President Macron attended the State Funeral of Elizabeth II, he invited Charles, Britain’s brand new King, on a State Visit to Paris.
Ardent Francophiles, the French speaking Windsor family has long been fascinated with France, especially the Châteaux of the Loire. Charles’ great-great-grandfather, Edward VII, often stayed at Château Chaumont near Amboise. It would be ironic if Charles and Camilla, his Queen Consort and one time mistress, a married woman, stayed there. Edward VII’s lifelong mistress, Alice Keppel, a married woman, was Camilla’s great grandmother.
In 1963, the Marquise de Saint-Genys invited Charles’ horse mad sister, Princess Anne, to stay on her vast La Lorie estate, famous for its stud farm and horse racing.
That same year Charles grandmother, the Queen Mother, enjoyed a whistle stop tour of the Loire. At Château Cheverny, the Marquis de Vibraye entertained her at lunch. Although the Château's grandiose gold leafed rooms, priceless Gobelin tapestries and walk-in fireplaces must have impressed, she was probably far more interested in her host’s hunting dogs.
Château de Cheverny Kennels
After being shown around the old Fortress of Château Chinon, the Queen Mother went to Fontevraud Abbey to visit the tombs of Henry II, King of England, his wife Queen Eleanor and their son Richard the Lionheart. The only member of the British royal family to pay homage to its history there, HM spent some time studying the fascinating recumbent effigies.
Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud
After spending the night at Château d' Artigny in Montbazon she visited Château Chambord and the fabulous gardens of Château Villandry.
Château de Villandry Gardens
In 1979, Charles’ mother, Elizabeth II, landed at Tours airport for a private visit to Château Chambord where she was lavishly entertained at lunch and to Château Chenonceau.
Château de Chenonceau
In 1981, the Queen Mother enjoyed another three day visit to the Loire Valley where she met up with old friend Count François de Cossé at his Château Brissac where he hosted a grand lunch in her honour. Before she left, when offered tea, HM said she would much prefer a glass of champagne. Her signed photograph is still in Château Brissac.
She then called on another old friend the Marquise de Saint-Genys at La Lorie to enjoy the horse racing after which it was on to Château Serrant in Saint-Georges-sur-Loire, where her luggage was unpacked for the remainder of her stay.
In 1988 Charles visited Château Blois and Château Chenonceau. A magnificent evening reception was arranged for him in Chateau Chambord. Princess Caroline of Monaco was among the guests served glazed oysters, stuffed squab and a Chinon 86.
Passionate and knowledgeable about gardening Charles visited Château Villandry again in 1992 on a private visit and chatted for some time with the gardeners.
Château de Chambord
That same year his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, enjoyed a visit to Blois where she did a walkabout through the town chatting to locals before entering the Chateau.
On leaving she said: ‘A visit to France is never perfect if it does not pass by the Loire. The warm attentions of its inhabitants and the beauty of its landscapes will remain etched in my heart’.
Château Royal de Blois
In April 2023, her son Charles will be in France, his first visit as King.
Mad about architecture, he would without doubt be in awe of the Royal Chateau of Amboise; mad about art, he would without doubt be in awe of Château Clos Lucé where the great Leonardo da Vinci lived; mad about gardening he would without doubt be in awe of Château Gaillard where oranges and greengages were introduced to France.
Post by Pamela (BA History of Art). Photography by Mark.
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