Village in northern France set to rename its airport after Queen Elizabeth II

A seaside town in northern France that was once the playground of British royalty is to name its airport after the Queen.

In the latest huge tribute to one of the most popular late monarchs in the world, Le Touquet-Paris-Plage (Le Touquet-Paris-Beach) will become a permanent tribute to Her Majesty.

French president Emmanuel Macron has a holiday home there and paid tribute to the Queen this week, saying that her memory ‘represents eternity’ and ‘she will be with us forever’.

When she was a little girl in the early 1930s, the then-Princess Elizabeth visited the English Channel resort with her family, according to the local council in Le Touquet.

When she was a little girl in the early 1930s, the then-Princess Elizabeth visited the English Channel resort, pictured, with her family, according to the local council in Le Touquet

In a statement, they said: ‘To pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and in memory of her visit to Le Touquet with her uncle Edward VIII, during which she practised both horse riding and sand yachting, the town of Le Touquet-Paris-Plage wishes to name its airport after her.

‘For 70 years she served her country with commitment, respect and constancy at the same time as she was always attentive to good relations between our two nations, she who spoke French and appreciated our country.’

At one point in the 1950s, Le Touquet-Paris-Plage was as busy as airports in Paris and Nice.

It hosted the Silver Arrow service, which linked London and Paris by air in just four hours.

Nowadays, the airport is hugely popular with private fliers from the UK – many of whom arrive to play golf or go for lunch at one of the upmarket restaurants in the town.

The new name of the airport is not yet known. Pictured: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II attends an Armed Forces Act of Loyalty Parade in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh in June 

Mr Macron’s wife, Brigitte, inherited a house there, and the couple often spend weekends and holidays in the town.

Other iconic British figures who lived there in the past included Noël Coward, P.G. Wodehouse and Ian Fleming.

President Macron will be among numerous world leaders attending the Queen’s funeral on Monday.

Mr Macron has already spoken to Charles III by phone, and aides said he ‘offered his sincere condolences to the King and expressed his full support.’

The new name of the airport is not yet known.