Prince William’s Paris

Prince William’s Paris visit brings dark past to light. Prince William and his wife, Duchess Kate of Cambridge, are traveling to Paris on Friday. It will be William’s first official trip to the city since his mother, Princess Diana, died in a car crash there nearly 20 years ago.

William and Kate will not be visiting any of the sites associated with Princess Diana’s death, but her memory is still very much alive, especially above the tunnel where the accident took place, where pictures and flowers are laid in tribute.

No other country is closer to the kingdom the royal couple will one day rule than France, and this trip is aimed at getting closer still, reports CBS News correspondent Charlie D’Agata.

For Prince William, it’s also a chance to put this week’s media backlash behind him after being seen partying in the Alps on a “boys only” ski trip featuring cringeworthy “dad dancing.” He faced criticism for shirking his royal duties.

Royal correspondent Roya Nikkhah said the Paris visit is a charm offensive.

“This is definitely about William and Kate being sent to France by the British government to make nice on the international stage. We need that at the moment,” Nikkhah said.