As part of the State visit to France by HM King Charles and HM the Queen to France, a reception was held at the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris. Professor Catriona Seth, Marshal Foch Professor of French Literature, was one of the guests at the launch in Paris by HM the Queen and Mme Macron of the Franco-British 'Entente Literary Prize' for young adult fiction.
Catriona said, "it was wonderful to hear two remarkable women stress the importance of reading and of any initiative which helps promote literature, particularly amongst young readers. I was delighted the Queen gave part of her speech in French, quoting Victor Hugo, whilst Mme Macron referred to Flaubert's drafts of Madame Bovary. I also had chance to catch up with friends from the Collège de France and with writers and publishers from both sides of the Channel."
