The President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, will address both House of Parliament today in the Royal Gallery (pictured above). As neither chamber is large enough, two venues are available for foreign Heads of State to make such addresses. One is Westminster Hall - the other is the Royal Gallery. It's a magnificant setting - but contains a major diplomatic problem. The two massive frescoes which dominate the room depict British victories over the French! (Waterloo and Trafalgar). We are assured that curtains will hide them from President Sarkozy when he speaks!
Wednesday, 26 March 2008
Don't Embarrass President Sarkozy
The President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, will address both House of Parliament today in the Royal Gallery (pictured above). As neither chamber is large enough, two venues are available for foreign Heads of State to make such addresses. One is Westminster Hall - the other is the Royal Gallery. It's a magnificant setting - but contains a major diplomatic problem. The two massive frescoes which dominate the room depict British victories over the French! (Waterloo and Trafalgar). We are assured that curtains will hide them from President Sarkozy when he speaks!
