Entente Cordiale Day
Welcome to the Entente Cordiale Day, where the historic ties between France and Britain are celebrated through academic excellence and collaboration.
Our aim, from now on and going forward every year in April, is that Great Britain and France will celebrate Entente Cordiale Day. Join us in honouring the legacy of the Entente Cordiale with our annual Entente Cordiale Day celebration and prestigious Entente Cordiale prizes.
Cher(e)s Étudiant(e)s de France et de Grande Bretagne, vous êtes cordialement invité(e)s à vous inscrire pour la compétition des Prix de l'Entente Cordiale jusqu'au 30 Novembre 2024. Les lauréat(e)s seront récompensé(e)s lors de l'Entente Cordiale Day à l'occasion du Gala de l'Entente Cordiale le 8 avril 2025 qui se tiendra au Château de Hatfield. Hatfield House vous attend! Rdv à l'Entente Cordiale Day!
Dear students of France and Great Britain, you are cordially invited to register for the Entente Cordiale Prizes Competition until 30 November 2024. The winners will be announced on Entente Cordiale Day at the Entente Cordiale Gala Dinner on the 8th April 2025 which will be held at the Old Palace of Hatfield House. Hatfield House is waiting for you, see you on Entente Cordiale Day!
About the
Entente Cordiale Day and Prizes
As we mark the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale and we stand on the cusp of a historic milestone in Franco-British relations, it is with great pleasure that we announced the launch of the first Entente Cordiale Day on April 8, 2024, at the Château de Breteuil.
The Entente Cordiale Day is not just an event—it is the historical launch of an annual celebration of the enduring bonds between France and Great Britain, having started 120 years ago since the signing of the Entente Cordiale, on April 8 1904.
This annual gathering, will serve each year as a poignant reminder of the past, a celebration of the present, and a beacon of hope for the future of Franco-British relations.
The Entente Cordiale Prizes will honour exceptional achievements by colleges and universities in France and the UK, exemplifying excellence, innovation, and tangible contributions to global society through education and collaboration. Named after the greatest families in the Entente Cordiale's history, these prizes recognize excellence, innovation, and research in top-ranked academic institutions of our two great nations.
The Entente Cordiale Day aims to promote and champion the outstanding work of universities and students across France and the United Kingdom. Through its prestigious Entente Cordiale Prizes, the Entente Cordiale Day will convene each year the brightest academic minds to work on research projects addressing global challenges and topics of global interest and to bring its contribution to the rest of the continent. The Entente Cordiale Day recognises and celebrates excellence, innovation and the positive social impact of tertiary education in France and the UK.
Its original purpose is to pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Royal Patronage initially received following the centenary of the Entente Cordiale in 2004 and express appreciation for Her Majesty’s seven decades of service as Head of State and for Her late Majesty's Entente Cordiale great legacy as the “Golden Thread” that binds our nations. Her late Majesty was a passionate believer in the power of education to help realize human potential and solve the world’s many problems. The Entente Cordiale Day Association is proud to honour Her Mjaesty’s lifelong commitment to education through its ongoing work.
The Entente Cordiale Day draws its inspiration from the centenary celebrations and the founding gathering of students and Alumni at the Château de Breteuil and Hatfield House in 2004 and was conceived on 8th September 2022 on the very day of Queen Elizabeth II 's passing.
Patrons
Historic Patrons:
Queen ELIZABETH II & President CHIRAC
The Entente Cordiale event was initially championed by Her Majesty Queen ELIZABETH II and His Excellency President Jacques CHIRAC. Their patronage highlighted the significance of the event in commemorating the historic Entente Cordiale treaty signed in 1904 between the UK and France.
Patrons in Waiting:
King CHARLES III & President MACRON
Building on the legacy of their predecessors, King CHARLES III and President Emmanuel MACRON are poised to continue the tradition of royal and presidential patronage for the Entente Cordiale event. Their impending support underscores the ongoing commitment to strengthening Franco-British relations in the 21st century.
Founders Family Patrons:
The Marquess of SALISBURY & The Marquis de BRETEUIL Family
The Entente Cordiale event is honoured to have the patronage of the Marquess of SALISBURY and the Marquis de BRETEUIL families, descendants of key figures instrumental in fostering the Entente Cordiale relationship. Their familial connections to historical events and their dedication to the spirit of cooperation further enrich the significance of the event.
The Entente Cordiale Prizes Family
The Entente Cordiale Day pays homage to several historic families whose contributions have been integral to the development of Franco-British relations.
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Sir Winston CHURCHILL Family
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General de GAULLE Family
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President CHIRAC Family
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President LOUBET Family
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Marquis de LANSDOWNE Family
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Ambassador Paul CAMBON Family