London, June 6 (IANS): British Queen Elizabeth II Thursday embarked on a three-day state visit to France to mark the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings during Worls War II, Buckingham Palace announced.
The Queen, accompanied by her husband Prince Philip, is visiting France at the invitation of French President Francois Hollande, according to Xinhua.
The visit will begin with a ceremonial arrival and welcome by Hollande at the Arc de Triomphe, followed by meetings at The Elysee Palace.
A garden party celebrating the Queen's visit will be hosted in Paris by British ambassador to France, Buckingham Palace's press office said in a statement.
On Friday, the royal couple will attend events in Normandy to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
During the day the Queen is scheduled to attend a service and meet Commonwealth veterans at Bayeux Cemetery before taking part in the international event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings at Sword Beach.
On Saturday, the couple will meet the Mayor of Paris and visit the Marche aux Fleurs which will be named in the Queen's honour.
During the first two days of the royal trip, Prince Charles, heir apparent of the British monarch, and his wife Camilla will meet a group of World War II veterans in Normandy when they attend D-Day commemoration events, according to Buckingham Palace.
On Friday, the Queen's grandson Prince William and his wife Catherine will also meet veterans at a tea party in the town of Arromanches before attending the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings at Gold Beach.