France

Today

Gavin Mortimer

The French are obsessed with our Royal Family

From our UK edition

Buckingham Palace has never known such a box-office success. ‘Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style’ is the hottest ticket in town and the most visited exhibition in the Royal Collection Trust’s history. The display of hundreds of the late Queen’s dresses and other garments was scheduled to run from April to October 2026. Due to popular demand, the exhibition has been prolonged until April 2027. ‘We are delighted to extend its run, ensuring that even more people from across the UK and around the world will have the chance to experience this once-in-a-generation tribute,’ explained Tim Knox, Director of the Royal Collection.

Wednesday

Gavin Mortimer

France has a nasty case of Trump Derangement Syndrome 

The French IT giant Capgemini has put its US subsidiary on sale because of its association with the work of ICE in America. All hell broke loose last week in France after it was revealed by the state broadcaster that Capgemini’s software was being used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to identify foreigners on US soil and track their locations. According to the BBC, Capgemini multi-million dollar contract with ICE was agreed last December and was scheduled to run until 15 March. It has now been curtailed after the company found itself in the eye of a storm following the deaths last month of two anti-ICE protestors in separate incidents in Minneapolis. Union leaders in France demanded an "immediate and public cessation of any collaboration with ICE.

France

Wednesday

Gavin Mortimer

George Clooney has been seduced by a French fantasy

Bonjour and bienvenue to the Clooneys. Gorgeous George, his wife Amal and their eight-year-old twins have been granted French citizenship. The Hollywood actor has long had a deep streak of Europhilia, owning luxury properties in Berkshire and Lake Como, Italy, as well as his pad in Provence. Located near the village of Brignoles, the Clooneys’ €9 million ($10.5 million) wine estate spans 425 acres, including an olive grove, swimming pool and tennis court. In an interview last month with a French radio station, 64-year-old Clooney declared (in English) that "I love the French culture, your language, even if I'm still bad at it after 400 days of courses." He also praised France’s privacy laws, citing them as the principal reason he and his wife want to raise their children there.