A national tribute to the Invalides. About a week after the death of Admiral Philippe de Gaulle at the age of 102, the nation paid a final salute to the general’s son. Emmanuel Macron chaired a ceremony from 11:30 a.m. to pay tribute to the memory of the man who was also a senator.
The main information to remember:
- Emmanuel Macron chairs a national tribute to Philippe de Gaulle
- The ceremony began at 11:30 a.m. at Les Invalides
- A Rafale flew over the Invalides at the stroke of noon
“It’s hard to be de Gaulle after de Gaulle”
Emmanuel Macron made a speech to pay tribute to the life and career of Philippe de Gaulle. The President of the Republic recalled his military career in the Navy, his enlistment in the Resistance during the Second World War as well as his political career. Philippe de Gaulle was senator of Paris from 1986 to 2004 under the label of the RPR then the UMP.
“It is hard, however, to be de Gaulle after de Gaulle, to have the appearance, the gestures, the voice, but not to be him,” stressed Emmanuel Macron. “He who was born with the heaviest inheritance teaches it to us today. We have duties,” he added.
The family and an audience of political figures present
Under a beautiful sun, Philippe de Gaulle’s family was present in the courtyard of the Invalides, including Yves de Gaulle, one of the admiral’s sons. The President of the National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, and the President of the Senate, Gérard Larcher, were also present, as were the Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, and some members of the government. The former President of the Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy, was also present. Several high-ranking officials came to pay tribute to the son of General de Gaulle.
Rafale flyover over Les Invalides
After the president’s honors at 11:30 a.m., the Marseillaise and the review of the troops, the coffin of Philippe de Gaulle will enter the courtyard of the Invalides to the tune of “Ar Mor Divent”. A eulogy followed before the bell ringing at noon. After a minute of silence and a new Marseillaise, a navy Rafale flew over the ceremony when the remains of the general’s eldest son left the courtyard.
Buried at Colombey-les-Deux-Églises
As Europe 1 revealed the day after the death of Philippe de Gaulle, the general’s son asked to be buried in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, near his wife.
The Senate opens its doors to him for 15 years
Born on December 28, 1921 in Paris, Philippe de Gaulle, a former student of the Naval Academy, joined the Free French Naval Forces in 1940. He had participated as an ensign in the campaigns in the North Atlantic until 1944, then in the French campaign (1944-45) in the Leclerc division. Lieutenant in 1948, lieutenant captain in 1956, admiral in 1980, he ended his military career two years later.
“Philippe de Gaulle had anticipated his father’s call to join the Resistance. Sailor, admiral, senator, he never missed the meeting of courage and honor. A century of French bravery. To his family, the condolences of the Nation”, greeted the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, on X.