Two Royal Navy patrol vessels mark Entente Cordiale in the first Paris visit for 20 years

Royal Navy patrol boats HMS Dasher and Trumpeter have been invited to Paris to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale agreement between the UK and France.

The two vessels, which also took part in the D-Day 80 commemorations, joined the celebration in the capital city near the Pont Mirabeau.

The event marked the anniversary of the signing of the Entente Cordiale, a series of agreements signed by France and the United Kingdom in 1904.

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HMS Trumpeter's Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Emma Morley, said: "This trip has been a career highlight.

"Taking part in commemorative events for D-Day 80 and then sailing a ship up the Seine in support of the Entente Cordiale are things I've always dreamed of doing and I'm really proud of my ship's company for making it happen."

It marks the first time the Royal Navy has visited Paris in 20 years.

In 1904, the Entente Cordiale was signed by the UK and France, covering issues as varied as diplomacy, trade and defence, ending centuries of hostility between the two nations.

The two patrol vessels sailed 230 miles in four days up the River Seine to reach the city, helped on the challenging passage by an embarked French Navy officer.

During their journey, the crew took part in a maritime parade at Conflans St Honorine, 40 miles downstream of Paris, where the crew were introduced to the local mayor.