King Frederik and Queen Mary have arrived in Paris for a three-day state visit.

Billed as a visit to “strengthen the close historical and bilateral relations” between France and Denmark, the Danish King and Queen are accompanied by a delegation of 55 businesses from Denmark that will met with their French counterparts to discuss “European resilience in the areas of defence, energy and health.”

King Frederik and Queen Mary will also focus on the cultural ties that bind the two countries.

The royal couple touched down at the Paris-Orly airport late Monday afternoon and were driven to Les Invalides for an official welcome from President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron.

There, the four watched a military parade and inspected the guard of honour before departing for the Élysée Palace, the presidential residence in Paris. King Frederik and Queen Mary were led by members of La Garde Républicaine to the residence.

As is traditional for a state visit, King Frederik and Queen Mary received a French order—both receiving the Grand Cross of the Legion d’Honneur—from President Macron at their official welcome.

The French president has previously received Denmark’s highest honour, the Order of the Elephant, and so did not receive an honour today. The Frist Lady received a diamond breast star for her previously-received Grand Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog.

In the evening, King Frederik and Queen Mary were guests of honour at a state banquet at the Élysée Palace.

In a speech, King Frederik said: “It is with deep joy that we return to this magnificent city and your country, to celebrate together the strong and precious ties that unite Denmark and France.”

He continued: “Seven years ago, Mr. President, my mother, Queen Margrethe II, welcomed you to Denmark with Madame Macron for a state visit that left a lasting impression on both our minds and our hearts. Today, my wife and I have the joy of making our first state visit to France, a country that is very dear to me. Like so many of my compatriots, I remain fascinated by the elegance, cultural richness, and vibrant history of France.”

King Frederik also paid tribute to his late father, Prince Henrik, who was born a French count, Henri de Monpezat, before he married the future Queen Margrethe in 1967. He recalled how Prince Henrik “passed on to me his deep love for France, and my own journey has allowed me to cultivate it.”

On the second day of their visit, the royal couple will, among other agenda items, pay a visit to the Manufacture des Gobelins tapestry factory; attend the opening of the France-Denmark: A European Partnership for a Resilient Future; meet French Prime Minister François Bayrou; visit the Grand Palais; and host a return dinner at the Grand Hôtel.