Paris (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – In July, French President Emmanuel Macron will make a state visit to Britain following an invitation from King Charles, as confirmed by Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.
The two leaders’ last meeting was in September 2023, when King Charles III and Queen Camilla visited France on a state visit. During the visit, King Charles and President Emmanuel Macron met for talks in Paris and attended official ceremonies together, including at the Arc de Triomphe.
What is the significance of Windsor Castle hosting?
Charles and Queen Camilla will host Macron and his wife Brigitte at Windsor Castle, located just outside London, from July 8 to 10.
The upcoming ceremonial event marks the first for Macron, who shares a close personal relationship with the British monarch. U.S. President Donald Trump has also received an invitation for a state visit, though a date is yet to be confirmed. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is eager to re-establish relations with the European Union after Britain’s momentous departure from the bloc in 2020.
How close are Macron and King Charles personally?
Charles intended for France to be his first overseas visit after becoming king following the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth. Nevertheless, a planned state visit in March 2023 was delayed because of protests related to a pension law enacted by Macron.
When Charles finally visited six months later, he became the first British monarch to speak before both houses of the French parliament. His flawless French speech received a standing ovation from the French Senate.
What made Charles’s speech in France historic?
The British royals were touched by Macron’s sincere tribute to Elizabeth after her passing in 2022 when he said: “To you, she was your queen. To us, she was the queen”. “When my mother died last year, my family and I were moved, beyond measure, by the tributes paid to her throughout France,” Charles told the French senate.
When was the last French presidential state visit?
British state visits are characterised by grand ceremonies, typically featuring a carriage ride through central London and an extravagant state banquet. The most recent state visit from a French president occurred in 2008 when Queen Elizabeth welcomed Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, at Windsor.
