In 2005, friends persuaded him to wear his Napoleon outfit to an event in Brittany, in Northern France.

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Other countries have been more assiduous (some would say too assiduous) in doing so: France forbade schoolgirls to wear headscarves.

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In France, any young girl, any girl who wishes to wear a veil or a headscarf may do so, it's her free choice to do so.

WHITEHOUSE: THE WHITE HOUSE