The French State Visit at Windsor Castle today marked the first to take place at the castle since 2014, where it welcomed the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins.
The President of France, Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte were hosted by The King and Queen at Windsor Castle, due to the Buckingham Palace ‘reservicing programme’ – a decade long set of renovations and updates to the central London residence.
Following their Coronation in 2023, The King and Queen were hosted by President and Mrs Macron for an official State Visit to France, which was seen as a huge success in helping to rebuild relations with France after Brexit.
Alongside military personnel, The Prince and Princess of Wales greeted the couple at RAF Northolt, where they landed, as is tradition for the heir to do.
Catherine’s outfit was a mix of British and French influence, with a Christian Dior jacket and a hat by British milliner Jess Collett. It marked the first time the Princess has worn Dior.
She paired her outfit with the Collingwood Pearl Drop Earrings, which originally belonged to her mother0in-law Diana, and a pearl necklace that belonged to Elizabeth II.
After touching down in the UK, President Macron posted on social media, describing the State Visit as an ‘important moment for our two nations’ and a ‘significant moment for our Europe’.
He also added the ‘bond is longstanding, forged by history and strengthened by trust’ and that ‘together, we will address the major challenges of our time: security, defence, nuclear energy, space, innovation, artificial intelligence, migration, and culture’.
‘The willingness expressed by the United Kingdom to strengthen ties with the European Union is a powerful signal — one that I welcome’, Macron wrote. He also mentioned the efforts to support Ukraine.
‘French and British: two free and proud peoples who never give up. That is what unites us, beyond any official texts. That is what binds us’ he said.
Charles and Camilla greeted the President and Mrs Macron outside the train station in Windsor before the four of them – along with Catherine and William – took a carriage ride through Windsor back to the Castle. The carriage procession included the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
Camilla’s outfit was a green ensemble by Anna Valentine, paired with Queen Mary’s Celtic Knot Brooch.
The King and President travelled together in the 1902 State Landau, followed by The Queen and Mrs Macron in the Semi State Landau, which was followed by an Ascot Landau carrying The Prince and Princess of Wales, the French Minister of Defence and the French Minister of Culture.
On arrival in the Quadrangle, Charles and the President inspected The Royal Guards. The Captain of the Guard of Honour, Major Jake Sayers from the Grenadier Guards, spoke fluently in French to the President, asking him to inspect the Guard.
As the Guard was inspected, the Massed Band of the Grenadier Guards and the Scots Guards played “L’Entente Cordiale.” It was composed 120 years ago when the Entente Cordiale treaty was signed between France and Britain.
After lunch, President Macron and Brigitte were shown French themed items from the Royal Collection, following tradition. This included items such as Queen Victoria’s diary, with an entry from August 1855, when she became the first British Monarch to visit Paris for over 400 years.
There was also a picture from the State Visit of George VI to France in 1938 and a decanter of Louis XIII Cognac, in addition to Marie Antoinette’s snuff box and books that once belonged to Napoleon.
The exchanging of gifts – a key staple of a State Visit – also took place. The King gifted Mr Macron a nine-foot tall sapling of an oak tree from the Savill Garden Nursery, a garden and woodland located in Windsor Great Park, to be planted in the garden of the French Ambassador’s Residence in London.
Charles gifted the President and First Lady 12 placemats featuring watercolours of Scotland and France painted by himself.
Finally, Charles provided the couple with a 1931 edition of John Florio’s translation of the works of 16th century French philosopher and essayist, Michel de Montaigne.
The Macrons returned the gesture, offering the King and Queen three gifts of their own, including a special copy of the original piano and vocal score of the 1902 ‘Pelléas et Mélisande’ by French composer Claude Debussy, a Couesnon trumpet from the cavalry band of the French Republican Guard and a personalised Senelier watercolour set in an inscribed walnut case.
Lastly, the couple gifted the royals a hamper of produce from the Élysée Palace.
The Pageantry from this State Visit is set to revive the relationship between Britain and France as it has been 17 years since a French president was last invited on such a visit. That President was Nicolas Sarkozy, who was a guest of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Macron laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown warrior in Westminster Abbey before addressing MPs and peers in the House of Lords, an offer afforded to foreign leaders.
Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images
Macron and Brigitte were then treated to a State Banquet in Windsor Castle.
Diplomats hope the three-day visit will help both countries to move on from the tensions of Brexit and a defence pact with the US and Australia that excluded France.
