French President Charles de Gaulle and Madame de Gaulle hosted the Shah of Iran and Empress Farah on their State Visit to France on this day in 1961, 65 years ago, which was the first visit by an Iranian Sovereign to France in 75 years.
The State Visit began with an Official Welcome and a spectacular State Banquet held by President Charles de Gaulle and Madame de Gaulle in honour of the Shah and Empress Farah (wearing the Noor-ul-Ain Tiara) at the Élysée Palace in Paris.
The following day the Shah and Empress Farah drove through the streets of Paris in a Procession for a Reception hosted by the Mayor of Paris at the Hôtel de Ville. That evening, there was a magnificent Gala Performance attended by the Shah and Empress Farah (in the Noor-ul-Ain Tiara) along with the President and Madame de Gaulle at the Paris Opera House, followed by another Banquet at the Élysée Palace.
On another day, the Shah and Empress had Luncheon at the Palace of Versailles, and laid the foundation stone of the Maison d’Iran at the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris. In the evening, the Shah and Empress Farah (wearing the Seven Emerald Tiara and Emerald Necklace) attended another Banquet, hosted by the French Foreign Ministry at the Quai d’Orsay for the Imperial Couple.
The Shah and Empress Farah (wearing the Seven Emerald Tiara and Emerald Necklace) also posed for a series of portraits which featured in several French Publications around the time of the State Visit.
The Shah and Empress Farah made a few more State Visits to France ahead of the Iranian Revolution. The Empress, who studied in Paris, retains a residence in Paris and remains heavily involved in French Language and Cultural Events.
Empress Farah’s Seven Emerald Tiara
Empress Farah’s Turquoise Tiara
Princess Soraya’s Emerald Tiara
Empress Farah’s Art Deco Diamond Tiara
