Post by Diarist on Sept 18, 2016 18:40:48 GMT 1
Sally and I visited the hotel for only one hour yesterday evening and after checking our luggage (again) we retired feeling assured that we hadn't forgotten anything. We arrived at RAF Duxford just after 8 am and met our pilot and co-pilot as well as our two bodyguards. Charles de Gaulle arrived about 10 minutes later and by 08:30 we were airborne and on our way to Paris-Le Bourget. One and a half hours later we landed after a flight without incident. A couple of embassy cars were waiting at the airport and we were driven to Hôtel de Charost, the official residence of the British Ambassador to France. It is a beautiful hôtel particulier and is located near the Élysée Palace.
The British Ambassador Sir George Clerk joined us for lunch and took me to one side to ask what COL de Gaulle is doing here. I told him that he works at TRADOC and he is key to my mission in Paris. "Sir George, I look forward to meeting Prime Minister Daladier in his capacity of Minister of War and I would prefer to meet members of his Defence Council not his cabinet. I am here to discuss military matters with him not affairs of state. In addition, I would like a private audition with him accompanied only by Colonel de Gaulle. I have a letter for him from Winston Churchill. Could you arrange that he receives it prior to me meeting him? I would be very grateful. You may have also noticed that I speak fluent French and you may also know that Édouard Daladier and I have met many times prior to and after the war against Italy. He was also present when I received the Crois de Guerre TOE in September." That kept him quiet.
Lunch was a very pleasant affair. "This a beautiful residence, Sir George," Sally commented. "It is my first time in Paris. Is there somebody here who could accompany me shopping while my husband is taking care of his business? I'm afraid that I don't speak French either."
"That's no problem at all, Lady Carter." That's the first time someone has officially called her that.
"Oh please, I prefer Sally."
After lunch I changed into my service uniform, complete with medals and maroon beret, and we left for Hôtel Matignon, the headquarters of the President of the Council (Président du Conseil), as the position of head of government is known under the Third Republic.
The British Ambassador Sir George Clerk joined us for lunch and took me to one side to ask what COL de Gaulle is doing here. I told him that he works at TRADOC and he is key to my mission in Paris. "Sir George, I look forward to meeting Prime Minister Daladier in his capacity of Minister of War and I would prefer to meet members of his Defence Council not his cabinet. I am here to discuss military matters with him not affairs of state. In addition, I would like a private audition with him accompanied only by Colonel de Gaulle. I have a letter for him from Winston Churchill. Could you arrange that he receives it prior to me meeting him? I would be very grateful. You may have also noticed that I speak fluent French and you may also know that Édouard Daladier and I have met many times prior to and after the war against Italy. He was also present when I received the Crois de Guerre TOE in September." That kept him quiet.
Lunch was a very pleasant affair. "This a beautiful residence, Sir George," Sally commented. "It is my first time in Paris. Is there somebody here who could accompany me shopping while my husband is taking care of his business? I'm afraid that I don't speak French either."
"That's no problem at all, Lady Carter." That's the first time someone has officially called her that.
"Oh please, I prefer Sally."
After lunch I changed into my service uniform, complete with medals and maroon beret, and we left for Hôtel Matignon, the headquarters of the President of the Council (Président du Conseil), as the position of head of government is known under the Third Republic.