King Charles and Queen Camilla welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron to Windsor Castle on July 8, marking the beginning of the French leader’s three-day state visit to the United Kingdom.
The Macrons were received with full ceremonial honours, including a royal carriage procession, a guard of honour, and a warm reception by senior members of the Royal Family. Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, greeted the French president and his wife as they arrived at RAF Northolt earlier in the day.
The visit highlights a renewed chapter in Franco-British relations, with President Macron stating his desire to strengthen bilateral cooperation “in a concrete, effective, and lasting way.”
Later in the day, President Macron is scheduled to address the UK Parliament and meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The two leaders are expected to discuss a range of pressing issues, including joint efforts to curb illegal migration across the English Channel and strategies to tackle shared security challenges.
The state visit will culminate in a formal banquet at Windsor Castle this evening, where King Charles is set to reaffirm the historic ties between the two nations. In prepared remarks, the King is expected to say that while Britain and France face “complex threats,” they will confront them “as friends and allies” committed to mutual prosperity and global stability.
The visit is being seen as an important diplomatic step toward revitalising UK-France relations in the post-Brexit era, with both sides emphasizing cooperation on climate, defense, and border security.
