Charles, Di Help French Celebrate England Conqueror

CAEN, France — A children’s choir sang a welcome to the Prince and Princess of Wales as they arrived today to help this Normandy town mark the 900th anniversary of the death of William the Conqueror, the French duke who conquered England.

One cynic in the British press wondered earlier this week what Prince Charles and Princess Diana were doing honoring the man who conquered England, set fire to York and established the first tax rolls in the nation.

Danielle Breda, Caen’s press attache, said Charles and Diana were not the city’s first choice as guests.

“We originally invited William, their son, since he has the same first name,” she said. “But the British Embassy told us that he is too young for such a trip.”