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Queen Livid at French Snub for Obama D-Day Fete
Sarkozy wants to focus on 'main event' of US prez visit
By Mary Papenfuss
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Posted May 27, 09 4:35 AM CDT
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(Newser)
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Queen Elizabeth is furious at not being invited by the French for D-Day ceremonies next week that will include President Obama, reports the Daily Mail. The French never had any intention of inviting members of the British royal family to the 65th anniversary commemoration in Normandy in order to allow president Nicolas Sarkozy to focus on the "main event" of Obama's visit, said French officials.
"There were never any plans to invite members of the British Royal Family, although an invitation has been extended to Gordon Brown after he said he wanted to come," said a French official. "He will, of course, be concentrating on the British commemorations, away from the American beaches, as is appropriate. This is very much a Franco-American occasion." Some 18,000 British and 5,000 Canadian troops died on French soil fighting in World War II.