Jacques Chirac (1932 - 2019): Death & Funeral of former CO-PRINCE OF ANDORRA
A former European monarch passed away last month. HE Jacques Rene Chirac, who in his capacity as President of France reigned also as ex-officio Co-Prince of Andorra (1995-2007), Died on Thursday 26 September 2019 aged 86, after a long period of illness.
late Jacques Chirac (1932-2019) with Marc Forné (left)
As a long-serving French politician he had left a mixed legacy in his country of origin, though in the fellow Pyreneean Principality the deceased was of quite positive remembrance comparative to his predecessors. Marc Forné, former excecutive Head of the government of Andorra, coinciding with Chirac's presidential term, paid tribute to his former fellow & counterpart, emphasising his visit to the Principality shortly into his term & willing to stay there overnight, unlike any of his predecessors. Forné also mentioned Chirac's efforts to balance between his two head of state' titles, receiving himself ambassadors to Andorra & in return, opening an embassy of Andorra (at the Andorra Plaza) in Paris.
Chirac in Andorra early on his term (late 1990s)
Following his death, Andorran government announced three days of national mourning (from September 27 to 29). The Head of the government, Xavier Espot, sent a letter of condolences to Chirac's family, emphasizing his respect to the former head of state for 12 years. Books of condolence opened as well at the Andorran government Administration building (ground floor) from Friday (September 27), from 9am to 3pm. Andorra's ministry of foreign affairs also extended condolences to the French Embassy of Andorra on behalf of the country.
Jacques Chirac's state funeral took place on Monday, September 30, designated by incumbent President Emmanuel Macron as a Day of national mourning in France. The former Head of state received the highest-level posthumous tributes, with his flag-drapped coffin lying in state at the Invalides monument (of national heroes) for one day, before a military tribute at the Invalides' grounds, the official mass of remembrance at St.-Sulpice Church - attended by dozens of global leaders, but not his ailing wife, Bernadette (86) - & a family burial in strict privacy at the Montparnasse cemetery (in Paris).
Andorra was of cource represented at the funeral service with all of its renior official leaders. Arch. Joan Enric Vives Sicilia (current Episcopal Co-Prince, who began his tenure in 2003 during Chirac's office), government leader Xavier Epsot & Parliament Speaker, Mrs. Roser Suñé Pascuetall attended. Given the presence of all living former French Presidents (/ Co-Princes), it was an ocassion, attended by All of the living Sovereigns of this dual monarchy (Vives Sicilia has not any predecessor alive). Additionally, with both Pres. Valery Giscard d'Estaing (93) & Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani - Emir of Qatar - (39) in attendance, it was the only yet concurrence, which saw the oldest & youngest currently living Sovereign together.
Living Co-Princes of Andorra at HE Jacques Chirac's funeral: Arch. Joan Enric Vives Sicilia (current Bishop of Urgell) - second row far-lefr (the second seen from left) - , Pres. François Hollande - second from left, front line (actually in front of Vives Sicilia) - , Pres. Nicholas Sarkozy - fourth from left, front line - , Pres. Valéry Giscard d'Estaing - front line, centre - , & Pres. Emmanuel Macron (current President of France) - far right, front row - .
Co-Prince Vives (i) Sicilia (seen centre right, with gray hair)
HE Valery Giscard d' Estaign with his wife, Anne-Aymone (86)
HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of Qatar (left) with HSH Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco (right).
Other noticed monarchs & global leaders in attendance included King Abdullah II of Jordan, Grand Duke Henri (& Grand Duchess Maria Teresa) of Luxembourg, Sovereign Prince Albert II of Monaco, former US President Bill Clinton & current President Vladimir Putin of Russia. Following the conclusion of state funeral, President (& Co-Prince) Macron offered the official attendees a lunch at the Elysee Palace. In France, as well as the French Embassy of Andorra (with several government members in attendance) a (conclusive tribute) minute of silence was observed at 3pm (local time).
++ Additional explanation (1 by me) about Co-Princes of Andorra & their inclusion to monarchs:
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