2023-05-06 10:15:00
The presidential couple traveled to London somewhat unconventionally by standard airline. During the flight, the Pavlovs even took several photos with the passengers. “Eva and I caught the line to London. This is the way to the coronation of Charles III. successfully launched,” Pavel wrote to the photos he showed off on Instagram. At the same time, it can be seen on them that members of the security guards were sitting immediately behind the presidential couple and were closely watching the surroundings. Speaker Markéta Řeháková also sat in the same row of seats with the Pavlovs.
Pavel started the day before the coronation by returning to school. He visited the Royal College of Defense Studies, where he started his studies 18 years ago. According to himself, he is only the second graduate of a prestigious educational institution who later became the head of state. He also gave a lecture to those present on the spot. “History has taught us many lessons since my studies and more are on the horizon. It means a lot to me that I could return to RCDS and share my perspective on world events with its members, management and several former classmates“, the president wrote on social networks about the visit to the university. The event took place without the participation of journalists. Another item on the program, in which the president visited the headquarters of the military intelligence of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile, had to be done without the presence of the media.
Pavel: I have a sentimental relationship with Britain
Subsequently, the President headed to the reception at the Czech Embassy, where he met with the participants of the Children of Heroes project, i.e. the descendants of Czechoslovak soldierswho fought on the side of Britain in World War II.
The president visited Britain with great joy, as he spent a relatively large part of his life in the country, he told journalists during a visit to the Czech embassy. “Of course I’m looking forward to it, because it’s the first such event in 70 years, and the ones I’ve had the chance to visit here have mostly been sad,” said the president at the coronation. “Because it was Princess Diana’s funeral and I also watched the Queen’s (Elizabeth II) funeral from afar. It’s a much more cheerful affair now, so I’m really looking forward to it,” he continued.
“I have perhaps a bit of a sentimental relationship with Great Britain, because I have spent quite a large part of my life here. And that’s why I take everything that concerns Great Britain a little bit personally. So I’m glad to be there“, Pavel added.
He had never experienced so much blue blood in one place
Subsequently, the Pavlovs went to a ceremonial reception at Buckingham Palace, which was also attended by a number of other important guests. Among them, for example, the first lady of the USA Jill Biden with her granddaughter Finnegan, the wife of the Ukrainian president Olena Zelenska and a large number of monarchs from all over the world. Around 100 heads of state and international representatives from 203 countries will gather in London for Saturday’s ceremony.
„We’re heading to Buckingham Palace. Ceremonial reception of Charles III. for foreign guests, Eva and I couldn’t miss the coronation,” President Pavel wrote in a post on Instagram. Mrs. Eva chose a matching pale blue suit for the evening reception, while the President wore an elegant dark blue jacket with a white shirt and a decent tie.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala was among those invited to Buckingham Palace. He too had the opportunity to speak briefly with the king.
Directly from the reception, the president headed to the London restaurant Bohemia House to meet with students and compatriots living in Britain. Here he briefly commented on the events at the ceremonial reception in Buckingham Palace. “I’d say I’ve never seen so much blue blood in one place“, he told the journalists present. King Karel III is said to have been with the Pavlovs. he greeted briefly, apparently he was quite busy. “When we gathered there, we met a lot of representatives of European and non-European monarchies, then King Charles III came. and in about half an hour he greeted everyone there, including us, and then went on,” the president described the event.
According to him, the British king “beamed” when he mentioned the Czech Republic and recalled his visits to the Czech Republic. “So I just told him that he will always be welcome with us. I invited him, of course,” the president added. He also told journalists that at the reception he spoke with the first lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska or with King Philip of Belgium.
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