Prince to make poignant Paris visit

PARIS - Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate will pay an official visit to Paris on Friday and Saturday, months before the 20th anniversary of the death of William's mother Diana in a car crash in the French capital.

The second-in-line to the throne and his spouse will meet President Francois Hollande and launch an initiative called "Les Voisins" (The Neighbors) designed to foster closer relations between the two countries at a time when Britain is set to begin the formal process of leaving the European Union.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will also host a black-tie dinner at the British Embassy and attend a Six Nations rugby match between France and Wales at the national stadium on Saturday.