Entente Cordiale Day Winners Present at Buckingham Palace and the Élysée Palace

The French 1st prize winners, Lesly Kana, Cypris Remond and Khushi Tivary from EDHEC Business School, at the Élysée Palace

In a powerful expression of youth-led diplomacy and cross-Channel collaboration, the winning teams of the 2025 Entente Cordiale Day Challenge were invited to two of the most iconic institutions in British and French public life: Buckingham Palace and the Élysée Palace. There, they presented their reports to senior advisers of His Majesty The King and the President of the French Republic.

These visits marked a historic milestone for the initiative, underscoring the importance of young voices in shaping tomorrow’s solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.

A Royal Audience at Buckingham Palace

The UK-based winners of the Challenge were welcomed to Buckingham Palace, where they had the honour of meeting Nathan Ross, Private Secretary to His Majesty King Charles III.

UK winners in front of the Buckingham Palace Gates

The conversation centred around the 2025 Challenge theme: 'Climate Change, Biodiversity, and the Developing World'. Winners presented the key findings and recommendations from their research, sparking an insightful exchange on sustainability and the role of youth in driving global environmental change.

This moment held special significance, given King Charles III’s lifelong dedication to environmental stewardship and his continued efforts to promote a greener, more sustainable future. The Palace’s warm welcome highlighted the importance placed on youth-driven initiatives and their potential to influence policymaking at the highest levels.

We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to hold such a meaningful discussion in this setting of historic and diplomatic importance.

A Presidential Welcome at the Élysée

Just days later, on the other side of the Channel, the French winners were welcomed to the Hôtel de Marigny, the official guest residence of the French Republic, nestled within the Élysée Palace compound.

French winners on their visit to the Hôtel de Marigny

There, they had the privilege of presenting their work to Mr. Patrice Faure, Chief of Staff to President Emmanuel Macron, and Mr. Gilles Halbout, Adviser for Education, Higher Education, Research, and Innovation. This exchange provided a remarkable platform for students to articulate their vision for a more just and sustainable future, and to engage in meaningful dialogue with those shaping national and international policy.

Prior to the presentation, winners gathered at L'Entente, Le British Brasserie, a stylish Anglo-French restaurant just steps away from the statue of King Edward VII: the monarch who laid the symbolic foundations of the Entente Cordiale in 1904. It served as a fitting and symbolic prelude to the historic moment that followed.

Celebrating Diplomacy and Dialogue

These twin visits to the heart of British and French governance demonstrate the continued power of youth diplomacy and cross-border cooperation. They also reflect the enduring relevance of the Entente Cordiale as a symbol of unity and shared values.

We extend our sincere thanks to the advisers of His Majesty The King and the President of the Republic for their generous welcome and for engaging so meaningfully with the ideas of the next generation.

As we look toward the 2026 edition of the Challenge, we remain committed to empowering students from both nations to take the lead in shaping a more thoughtful, innovative, and collaborative world.