Queen meets British stars at banquet

When in Paris, do as the English do.

But last night the Queen was made to feel at home as she partied with British stars at a state banquet.

She expected to meet the cream of French society but seemed delighted to meet homegrown celebrities.

World Cup-winning England rugby captain Martin Johnson got the warmest welcome from the Queen as she greeted him for the dinner.

Also joining the party were British-born stars who have made France their home. Paris-based actress Kristin Scott Thomas, star of Four Weddings And A Funeral, was joined by fellow movie star Charlotte Rampling and singer Jane Birkin.

Johnson, who signed autographs for the public outside the palace, joked: "I'm just here for a night on the town."

They were all guests of French president Jacques Chirac who wanted the banquet at the Elysé¥ Palace to reflect close Anglo-French ties. Before the formal line-up he even caused a few laughs by presenting his pet dog Sumo to the Queen and Prince Philip, who are on a three-day state visit to the country.

In her speech, the Queen called for closer ties between Britain and France, calling for a united front in the fight against terror. She said: "We need to recognise that we cannot let immediate political pressures, however strongly felt on both sides, stand between us in the longer term."