Larry the Cat has once again sent a message of support from Downing Street to the England football team, as they play against France tonight for the bronze medal in the 2026 World Cup. (England are already in the lead.)
While we regard France as friends and allies today, there have always been conflicts between our two nations... in fact there have been over 30 wars between England and France.
During WWII Winston Churchill and General de Gaulle had a mutual respect for each other. But they never became good friends, and had several disagreements.
Churchill passed away in January 1965. After a State funeral at St Paul's Cathedral, his coffin was transported along the Thames from Tower Pier to Festival Pier on the South Bank. It was then carried to Waterloo Station, from where it was then taken by train to Oxfordshire for a private burial at Bladon, close to his birthplace at Blenheim Palace.
It was Sir Winston's expressed wish that his funeral train departed from Waterloo... even though there was no direct rail route to Oxfordshire. This was because Churchill knew that his wartime ally (and rival) General de Gaulle would attend his funeral. This was Sir Winston's final two finger salute to the French President... reminding him of the Battle of Waterloo!
England 6, France 4. 😀
