'We think you are incredibly brave': Kate and William meet Nice and Bataclan victims before heading to the Eiffel tower for some rugby training 

  • Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met with victims of Nice and Bataclan terror attacks at military hospital
  • Kate was wearing a chic Chanel suit and on her feet her favourite pair of block-heeled burgundy Tod shoes
  • Next they visited the Musée d'Orsay where they rekindled their love of art in the Impressionists' Gallery
  • They played rugby with some French yougsters ahead of the Wales v France Six Nations match today

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are today going about their planned schedule in Paris despite a shooting at the city's Orly airport.

The royal couple met with victims of the Nice and Bataclan terror attacks as well as World War Two veterans at the famous Les Invalides military hospital.

They then visited the Impressionists' gallery at the Musée d'Orsay before playing rugby with some French youngsters outside the Eiffel Tower ahead of the Wales v France Six Nations match which they will attend. 

The couple will be flying back to the UK early this evening by private jet.

Business as usual: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are today going about their planned schedule in Paris despite a shooting at the city's Orly airport

Business as usual: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are today going about their planned schedule in Paris despite a shooting at the city's Orly airport

William and Kate met victims of terror attacks and Second World War veterans at a military hospital in the centre of the city

William and Kate met victims of terror attacks and Second World War veterans at a military hospital in the centre of the city

Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge visited Les Invalides and spoke with victims of the Paris terror attacks

Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge visited Les Invalides and spoke with victims of the Paris terror attacks

The Duke and Duchess also met emergency crews who attended the Nice and Bataclan terror attacks

The Duke and Duchess also met emergency crews who attended the Nice and Bataclan terror attacks

Dazzling: Kate greeted Parisians who turned out to meet her at the military hospital

Dazzling: Kate greeted Parisians who turned out to meet her at the military hospital

Although all flights to and from Orly have been suspended, a Kensington Palace spokesman said their plans to leave Paris were unchanged
Although all flights to and from Orly have been suspended, a Kensington Palace spokesman said their plans to leave Paris were unchanged

Kate flashed a beaming smile as she met children outside the Les Invalides hospital and received a charming bouquet of flowers

Warming up: Kate threw a rugby ball with a youngster outside the Eiffel tower as she and William met young fans ahead of the Six Nations match later

Warming up: Kate threw a rugby ball with a youngster outside the Eiffel tower as she and William met young fans ahead of the Six Nations match later

Although all flights to and from Orly have been suspended after a shooting, a Kensington Palace spokesman said their plans to leave Paris were unchanged.

It is understood that the couple had always intended to use a different airport.

The Duke and Duchess arrived for their first engagement today in the centre of the city on time this morning and there was no obvious sign of increased security.

Kate was wearing a chic Chanel suit - a choice bound to delight fashionistas - in muted shades of black, grey and burgundy, with her hair loose, courtesy of her personal hairdresser, Amanda Tucker, who is travelling with her.

On her feet were a favourite pair of block-heeled burgundy Tod shoes, a more practical choice for the Paris cobbles than her normal high heels.

William and Kate were first visiting Les Invalides, an iconic French military hospital in the heart of the city.

They learnt about the important historic and current roles of the site, in particular its work supporting veterans undergoing rehabilitation programmes.

The Duke and Duchess also met victims and emergency service teams from the Bataclan and Nice terror attacks.

Among those they met were Jessica Bambal Akan, 25, who was shot seven times in the leg, hip and back as she dined with friends at La Belle Equipe restaurant in Paris.

Stunning: Kate was wearing a chic Chanel suit - a choice bound to delight fashionistas

Stunning: Kate was wearing a chic Chanel suit - a choice bound to delight fashionistas

Les Invalides: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the military hospital in Paris

Les Invalides: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the military hospital in Paris

Kate passed the ball at the Eiffel tower
The Duke and Duchess leaving Les Invalides hosptial

Warming up: Kate was seen playing rugby with a youngster outside the Musée d'Orsay ahead of the Six Nations match

Director of the Musee dOrsay Laurence des Cars guides the royal couple

Director of the Musee dOrsay Laurence des Cars guides the royal couple

The pair attended the museum on the second day of their official visit to the French capital

The pair attended the museum on the second day of their official visit to the French capital

There was also Kevin, a 28-year-old fireman, a concert-goer at the Bataclan, who was shot in the leg. Both have been undergoing rehabilitation at the hospital ever since.

Jessica said the encounter meant a great deal to both, who have found it invaluable to speak about their trauma and prove to the public that life goes on.

William told the Bataclan attack survivors: 'We think you are very strong and very brave, you've made amazing progress.'

The Duchess added she would be keeping an eye out for Jessica's work, after learning she is retraining to work in fashion.

The Duke and Duchess toured the Trocadero square, with the Eiffel tower in the background

The Duke and Duchess toured the Trocadero square, with the Eiffel tower in the background

Try! The Duchess smiled as she watched the French youngsters ahead of France's final six nations game

Try! The Duchess smiled as she watched the French youngsters ahead of France's final six nations game

Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, center, and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, tour the Trocadero square in Paris

Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, center, and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, tour the Trocadero square in Paris

Jessica, 25, said: 'At first [after the shooting] I was a bit shy and didn't want to talk about it because of all of the pain and grief.

'But now I want to say we are not only victims, we have lives, we have boyfriends, girlfriends, work. I want to speak about my friend who died to honour him, I want people to remember who he was.'

She was shot on her birthday as she dined with three female friends outside the restaurant, who all survived the attack. Her friend Victor Munoz, who was inside, was killed with one shot.

'We were very lucky,' she said of her friends outside. 'We all got shot and we all survived.'

The prince hailed the 'quick-thinking' of her boyfriend, who made a tourniquet for her leg on the scene.

'It's been very difficult,' she said. 'I like to move. I got through this because of my friends, my boyfriend, my family who helped me all the time.'

The Duchess asked how she had found readjusting to life after the accident.

Team talk: The Duke and Duchess chatter to French children as they played rugby

Team talk: The Duke and Duchess chatter to French children as they played rugby

Beaming: Kate was a picture of delight when she spoke to some of the youngsters

Beaming: Kate was a picture of delight when she spoke to some of the youngsters

'You feel like you're in a dream,' Jessica said, adding that she had tried to view her rehabilitation work as a job in the week, and enjoy her weekends as she did before.

She used her convalescence to learn Italian, and is now hoping to work organising fashion shows, telling the Duchess she had noted her Chanel outfit.

'I was ambitious, I am still ambitious,' she said, speaking in English. 'If I want revenge I must live and work and prove they [the terrorists] can't touch how we live in our great country. It sparked something: I realised you need to live.'

Kevin described how he attended a concert at the Bataclan, only to hear shouting and gunfire. They started shouting at the audience and opened fire.

'Anyone who shouted was shot, so I tried to be as quiet as possible. I was hit twice in the leg but lay there and kept quiet.'

Of meeting the Duke and Duchess, he said: 'It was a very positive experience because I was able to speak about this experience and what I went through.

Kate played with youngsters were full of energy as they bounded around the pitch set up outside the Eiffel Tower
Prince William joked with Kate as they played

Kate played with youngsters were full of energy as they bounded around the pitch set up outside the Eiffel Tower 

'It feels very important to tell these stories and be listened to.' Asked how his emotional recovery had been, he told the Royal couple: 'It gave me a challenge, I like a challenge.' The Duchess said: 'You're a very brave man.'

The couple also spent time with the elderly inhabitants of Les Invalides, including one 101-year-old man who escaped the Nazis three times during the Second World War.

The Duchess was charmed by Colonel Jean Camus, 100, and Chief Petty Officer Georges Zwang, who will turn 102 in May.

Both reached for her hand to kiss it as they were introduces, prompting a smile from Kate.

Col Camus fought in France in 1939-40, was taken prisoner by the Germans, escpaed, joined the French resistance and escaped twice after being captured by Vichy forces and the Germans.

He managed to reach London in 1943 and served as an intelligence officer in the Central Bureau of Intelligence and Operations, before returning to France in August 1944 for the end of the war.

Britain's Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, are welcomed by school children and students from the British Council's Somme project

Britain's Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, are welcomed by school children and students from the British Council's Somme project

As they were introduced, the Duke exclaimed: 'As escape artist!' The veteran joked: 'I spent most of my life in jail. I could write a book.' The Duke replied: 'You should, it would be a bestseller.'

Col Camus added: 'I didn't expect to live so long, it's a surprise. I'm very glad to see you living and not on pictures as I saw the Queen and Charles. Thank you for listening.'

The veteran told the couple his wife had been made an MBE but the now suffers from Alzheimer's and could not make the journey to meet them. The Duchess said: 'Please send her our best wishes.'

They were also introduced to Chief Petty Officer Georges Zwang, who will turn 102 in May, served in the French navy from 1934-1940 and went on the join the Royal Navy. He then joined the Free French Forces and took part in the landing and battle of Provence where he was seriously injured.

Captain Stephane, from French Special Forces, severely injured during Operation Serval, joined them, along with Mrs Montcorge, 94. She was a lieutenant in the Free French Forces in 1943 in London and was appointed as liaison officer to General Patton commanding the 3rd US Army from June 1944 to the end of the war in 1945.

She told the Duke and Duchess she had been appointed after studying in the US.

Moving to the prosthetics room, the couple met Sergeant Phillippe, who was training in the French army as a dog handler when he had motorcycle accident in France leaving him with one prosthetic leg.

He has previously met the Duke, who presented him with medals at the Invictus Games, where he won a gold in the 100m and silver in the 200m in 2014, then a gold in the driving challenge and bronze in the 100m in 2016.

The Duke said: 'you are a huge inspiration for all the other guys.'

They also met two servicemen suffering from PTSD, to be known as Kevin and Francis, who discussed their mutual love of football and tonight's rugby match.

The Duke and Duchess, who was wearing a Chanel coat, were greeted by General Ract Madoux, governor of Les Invalides, who introduced them to a short history of the hospital, built in 1670 by Louis XIV for his veterans.

Today, Les Invalides houses around 80 pensioners, with a cutting-edge prosthetic department helping wounded servicemen and women.

All smiles: The couple appeared delighted as they were shown around the museum

All smiles: The couple appeared delighted as they were shown around the museum

President of the museum Laurence Des Cars shows Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge around at Musee d'Orsay

President of the museum Laurence Des Cars shows Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge around at Musee d'Orsay

William and Kate were also shown an ornate book, explaining how Charles II, king of England, wrote to Louis XIV to ask him to share with him the plan about the creation of the hospital.

It went on to inspire the foundation of the Royal Chelsea Hospital.

The Duke of Duchess of Cambridge rekindled their shared love of art today when they visited Paris's iconic Musee D'Orsay.

The couple first met when they both studied history of art at St Andrew's University in Scotland (although William later switched to geography) and were keen to visit the museum which houses the largest collection of Impressionist masterpieces in the world.

In a tender moment William and Kate even looked out onto the world's most romantic city through the face of a giant clock.

The couple toured the gallery on the second day of their two-day visit to Paris.

It remained open to the public throughout, prompting gasps from tourists who crowded round to take pictures and videos of the royals on their phones.

Home to some of the greatest works of French and European art produced in the 19th and 20th centuries, they had specifically asked to see one some of Claude Monet's most famous paintings including one of his water lilies series, painted in 1904.

The French impressionist painted around 250 oil paintings of the flower garden at his home in Giverny, which were the main focus of his artistic output during the last 30 years of his life.

The couple were also shown other Monet masterpieces, including his 1873 work Coquelicots or wild poppies and his 'parasol' paintings from 1886 titled, Essai de figure en plain-air femme a l'umbrelle. They stopped to take a close look at London, Houses of Parliament, which was inspired by Monet's 1871 visit to London when he was struck by the 'effects of fog on the Thames'.

In a tender moment William and Kate even looked out onto the world's most romantic city through the face of a giant clock

In a tender moment William and Kate even looked out onto the world's most romantic city through the face of a giant clock

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge take a tour at Musee d'Orsay during an official two-day visit to Paris 

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge take a tour at Musee d'Orsay during an official two-day visit to Paris 

William, 34, asked director Laurence des Cars: 'This is one of his most famous paintings isn't it?'

The 1904 masterpiece will go on loan to the Tate Britain later this year as part of an exhibition called: 'The Impressionists in London'.

The couple were also shown Monet's La Rue Montorgueil a Paris, a 1878 painting of a street which the Queen visited during her 2004 tour of France.

Art enthusiast Kate, 35, who graduated with a 2:1 in 2005, asked lots of questions, particularly about Edouard Manet's Olympia, a nude painted in 1863. Seemingly unfazed by the topless scene, William pointed to a black cat in the picture and was told it was a tongue in cheek addition.

Another painting that caught their eye was Gustave Caillebotte's Raboteurs de Parquet (1875) featuring half- naked men sanding a floor by hand.

Crouch, bind set! The royal couple played with some children outside the Eiffel tower

Crouch, bind set! The royal couple played with some children outside the Eiffel tower

A keen photographer, Kate has been patron of the National Portrait Gallery in London since 2012 and is also patron of a charity called The Art Room, which encourages disadvantaged children to express themselves through artistic endeavours.

Kate once said: 'I am a firm believer in the power of art to make a difference'.

William, whose father and grandfather are both keen artists, also studied history of art before switching to geography.

It is thought that Kate's support in convincing him to switch subjects rather than quit university altogether is what first drew them together.

Situated on the left bank of the Seine, the Musee D'Orsay is houses in the former Gare D'Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station built between 1898 and 1900.

It holds mainly French art dating from 1848 to 1914 including works by Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cezanne, Gaugin and Van Gogh.

Having been used as a railway station for more than 80 years, the decision was taken to close it down because its platforms were deemed too short for modern trains. In 1970 permission was granted to demolish the building but after an eight year row it was finally placed on the list of historic monuments and former French president Georges Pompidou gave the go ahead for it to be turned into an art gallery. It opened in 1986, with its original clocks remaining as a reminder of its transport heritage. 

A picture purported to show the man who was shot dead at Paris Orly airport this morning after snatching a soldier's gun

A picture purported to show the man who was shot dead at Paris Orly airport this morning after snatching a soldier's gun

Travelers wait outside the Orly airport, south of Paris, which was evacuated this morning after a man was shot dead 

Travelers wait outside the Orly airport, south of Paris, which was evacuated this morning after a man was shot dead 

Passengers landing at Orly were kept on planes while the anti-terror operation was carried out

Passengers landing at Orly were kept on planes while the anti-terror operation was carried out

The airport was evacuated after the shooting, which happened at 8.30am today, less than two hours after the 39-year-old man had fired at three police officers on the opposite side of the city

The airport was evacuated after the shooting, which happened at 8.30am today, less than two hours after the 39-year-old man had fired at three police officers on the opposite side of the city

Explosives experts are searching the airport for bombs amid fears the man may have had an accomplice

Explosives experts are searching the airport for bombs amid fears the man may have had an accomplice

Large teams of police have descended on the airport following the shooting at 8.30am today

Large teams of police have descended on the airport following the shooting at 8.30am today

A man was shot dead at Paris Orly airport this morning after taking a soldier's gun and fleeing into a shop, taking aim at soldiers.

Less than two hours earlier, three police officers were shot at in a suburb in northern Paris by a gunman during a routine stop-and-search operation.

Police now believe the shooting in the northern Paris suburb of Stains, which left one officer injured, was carried out by the man who was later killed.

After fleeing the scene, the man stole a woman's car at gunpoint.  

A COUNTRY UNDER SIEGE: TERROR ATTACKS IN FRANCE OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS

Rescue workers take a woman to safety in November 2015 after the shooting at the Bataclan music venue

Rescue workers take a woman to safety in November 2015 after the shooting at the Bataclan music venue

February 3, 2017 -  A man is shot five times outside the Louvre museum in the heart of Paris after attempting to storm the historic art gallery.

July 14, 2016 - Amid Bastille Day celebrations in the Riviera city of Nice, a large truck is driven into a festive crowd. Some 86 people from a wide variety of countries are killed. The driver is shot dead. Islamic State extremists claim responsibility for the attack. The state of emergency in France is extended and extra protection, including robust barriers to prevent similar attacks, is put in place at major sites in France.

June 13, 2016 - Two French police officers are murdered in their home in front of their 3-year-old son. Islamic State claims responsibility for the slaying, which was carried out by a jihadist with a prior terrorist conviction. He is killed by police on the scene.

Nov. 13, 2015 - Islamic State militants kill 130 people in France's worst atrocity since World War II. A series of suicide bomb and shooting attacks are launched on crowded sites in central Paris, as well as the northern suburb of Saint-Denis. Most of those killed are in a crowded theater where hostages are taken. Islamic State extremists claim responsibility and say it was in retaliation for French participation in airstrikes on the militant group's positions in Syria and Iraq. It leads to the declaration of a state of emergency in France. Police powers are expanded.

Jan. 7, 2015 - Two brothers kill 11 people inside the Paris building where the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo is headquartered in what Islamic State extremists claim is retaliation for the publication of cartoons about the Prophet Muhammad. More are killed subsequently in attacks on a kosher market in eastern Paris and on police. There are 17 victims in all, including two police officers. The attackers are killed.

(Source: AP) 

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