The King and Queen, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales, will host a number of events over the next few days
Queen Camilla, King Charles III, President of France, Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron attend a state banquet at the Palace of Versailles, hosted by President and Madame Macron, on September 20, 2023 in Versailles Samir Hussein
The Prince and Princess of Wales are set to take centre stage as they welcome President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron of France to Britain today, on the first state visit of an EU leader since Brexit. With a Windsor Castle banquet, a royal carriage ride, and a speech from King Charles, the three-day affair is set to be full of pomp and ceremony and celebration of the historic ties between the two nations. Tatler has everything you need to know about the first French state visit since 2008.
Prince William and Catherine will greet the Presidential pair at RAF Northolt, before travelling as a quartet to the Royal Dais on Datchet Road, where they will be officially welcomed by King Charles and Queen Camilla. Marking their arrival, a Royal Salute is set to fire from Windsor Home Park and the Tower of London. The Macrons, the King and Queen, and the Prince and Princess of Wales will then ride in a carriage procession through the town all the way to Windsor Castle. Why Windsor? The French visit marks the first time in more than 10 years that the royals have hosted foreign leaders in the Berkshire locale, and the change in scenery is thanks to renovations happening at Buckingham Palace.
The set will end their procession at the Castle’s quadrangle, accompanied by the sounds of a Royal Salute by a Guard of Honour, as well as the French and British National anthems. The King and President Macron will then inspect the Guard before rejoining the Waleses and Madame Macron before heading into the Castle for lunch in the State Dining Room alongside members of the royal family – perhaps we can expect to see the likes of Princess Anne or Prince Edward join in the festivities?
Prince William and Catherine chat with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron at a drinks reception for Queen Elizabeth II and G7 leaders at The Eden Project during the G7 Summit on June 11, 2021 WPA Pool/Getty Images
Lunch complete, Their Majesties will then accompany the Macrons to the Green Drawing Room for a special exhibition of objects from the Royal Collection, each with a special connection to France.
Up next on the itinerary? A journey to London, which will see the President and First Lady travel to London for a somber interlude among the celebrations. The Macrons are set to make their way to Westminster Abbey, where they will lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Soldier in the year marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Parliamentary duties are to follow, with Macron delivering a speech at the Palace of Westminster from the Royal Gallery, ahead of meeting with MPs and peers and receiving the Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch, and Sir Ed Davey at Lancaster House.
Heading back to Windsor, sharpish, the French guests will don their finery for a state banquet at the Castle. No doubt a highlight of the visit for many royal watchers, this banquet could well be a chance to catch a glimpse of Queen Camilla, the Princess Royal, and even the Princess of Wales in tiaras and full royal regalia. Catherine’s attendance has not been confirmed, and she chose to sit out from the state banquet held in honour of the Emir of Qatar in December. Should the Princess of Wales grace Windsor Castle with her presence, and should she opt for a tiara, precedent would suggest that she will opt for the Lovers’ Knot, which she has chosen for nine of her 14 tiara moments.
French President Emmanuel Macron with his wife Brigitte Macron and Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive for a bilateral meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, on the first day of his state visit to France, on September 20, 2023 Pool/Getty Images
Both King Charles and Emmanuel Macron are set to deliver speeches at the banquet, with His Majesty set to reflect on the ‘complex threats’ facing both Britain and France, focussing on challenges that ‘know no borders’. These issues are thought to include Artificial Intelligence, the climate crisis, and national defence, says Sky News.
Wednesday will be a more lowkey affair for the group, but no less poignant. The Presidential Couple will begin the day with a private visit to St George’s Chapel to lay flowers on the tomb of the late Queen, whose memory President Macron honoured in a moving speech following her death in 2022. King Charles is then set to show the President around the Windsor Castle gardens and the Great Park, no doubt discussing his passion for sustainability and biodiversity.
Up next is another reminder of the deep ties between Britain and France, with a celebration of royal pageantry. The King, the Queen, and the Macrons will view a Charabanc carriage from the Royal Mews, which King Louis-Philippe of France gifted to Queen Victoria back in 1844. They will also see Fabuleu de Maucour, a horse gifted to Queen Elizabeth by Emmanuel Macron in honour of her Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Then, it’s au revoir from the King and Queen, as the Macrons return to London for an AI exhibition at Imperial College and a lunch at 10 Downing Street with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Lady Starmer.
The royal gilt and glamour is not quite finished, however. The President and the First Lady are then invited to dinner at London Guildhall, hosted by none other than the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Lord Mayor. Somewhat of an underrated royal style icon, expect a dazzling display from the Duchess.
Thursday brings an end to the French state visit, but not before the President and the Prime Minister host a UK-France summit at Downing Street. Quite the packed schedule, then, to celebrate the entente cordidale, but one that will no doubt showcase all the splendour that the Firm can offer. Allons-y!
