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Mr Macron has invited 60 world leaders including US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Paris for a large-scale ceremony to mark 100 years since the Great War ended, with several other large events planned across Europe. But the French leader is keen to downplay any triumphalism to avoid upsetting his fellow countrymen. The tone of Mr Macron’s speech at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier will be respectful of the millions who died in the conflict rather than focussing on the Allied victory. Nearly 40 million soldiers and civilians were killed between 1914-1918 and many French people view the four-year war as an unnecessary slaughter rather than a victory that should be celebrated.

A source told the newspaper: “The combatants were mainly civilians who had been armed.” Mr Macron has refused to celebrate Marshal Petain who was seen as a hero for his part in leading the French army to victory at the nine month long Battle of Verdun in 1916. The General later collaborated with the Nazis in World War Two, voting to ally the French government with Germany. After the war he was found guilty of treason and died in prison aged 95.

Emmanuel Macron lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier earlier this year

The move has been met with mixed reaction as French historian and former military colonel Michel Goya saying Mr Macron was “insulting the soldiers of 1918”. Defence research professor Benedicte Cheron believes the Elysee Palace has made a mistake in their centenary commemoration plans, reports French newspaper Le Figaro. Mr Cheron told the newspaper: ”They give the impression of misunderstanding the continuity between the engagement of 1914-18 soldiers, and that of soldiers today.” “This is a totally anachronistic reflection because this war came at a time when the army was essentially relying on the conscripts. “To call the soldiers of 1914 "armed civilians" is to disregard their affiliation with the army of today and, ultimately, to consider that the sacrifice of the contemporary military would not be of the same order.”

The French President wants to downplay celebratory tones at the WWI centenary commemorations next mo

However General Bruno Dary, who heads the committee in charge of looking after the eternal flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier said Mr Macron’s plans would be appropriate. General Dary said the French president’s plan to spend five days visiting the scenes of major First World War battles in the run up to November 11 is a fitting tribute. He told Le Figaro: "The official ceremony will be around the Unknown Soldier, and the military will be identical to previous years. "But most importantly, never has a president spent so much time traveling to the scene of major battles.” And Lord Dannatt, former chief of the general staff who has been on the UK’s First World War advisory board since 2013, said Mr Macron was right to downplay the tone of commemorations. He said: “Triumphalism, victory, those sort of notions are inappropriate. “There is no need for jingoistic reaction at all and for Macron to be just coming to that conclusion now shows he is a pretty inexperienced politician.”

The Queen will not be at the Paris ceremony as she attends the Cenotaph commemoration

Donald Trump and Angela Merkel are both expected to attend the Paris ceremony on November 11