The Princess of Wales joined Prince William to formally welcome French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte as they landed in the UK today for a state visit

The Princess of Wales has carried out a major role at the French state visit by joining Prince William to welcome French president Emmmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte to the UK.

As the doors of the plane opened, the president made his way down the steps first onto the red carpet followed by the first lady, where they were met by the ambassador of the French Republic, Helene Duchene. Mr and Mrs Macron were then welcomed by future king and queen, William and Kate. The president warmly shook the prince’s hand and held onto his arm as they chatted. Mr Macron then took the princess’s hand and delivered a gallant air kiss towards it.

Macron air kisses Kate’s hand as he arrives in the UK today (
Image:
POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

In a carefully thought out outfit with a nod to their guests, Kate wore French fashion house Christian Dior and a hat by Jess Collett. Her earrings belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales and the pearl necklace was from the late Queen’s collection. The Christian Dior jacket is the 30 Montaigne Rose Des Vents Bar Jacket and a piece from the 2024 collection. It was reimagined by Maria Grazia Chiuri, who was inspired by the original first created in 1947 by Christian Dior himself.

Also lining the red carpet at RAF Northolt to greet the Macrons were memers of The King’s Colour Squadron of the Royal Air Force. Among the others in the welcome party were Sir Kenneth Olisa, the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, Commissione of the Metropolitan Police Sir Mark Rowley and Station Commander of RAF Northolt, Group Captain Jonathan Hough.

King Charles and Queen Camilla then formally greeted their guests on a Royal Dais constructed on Datchet Road in Windsor town centre, with the castle in the backdrop as gun salutes sound in nearby Home Park. Overnight the King experienced a burst blood vessel in his right eye which is said to be unrelated to any other health conditions.

Camilla wore a bright emerald green chiffon dress by Anna Valentine and a hat by Philip Treacy. She also wore an emerald and diamond brooch that belonged to the late Queen.

William and Kate introduce the Macrons to the welcome party (
Image:
POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
As they stood chatting, Emmanuel Macron placed his hand on the King’s back, and gave it a few affectionate rubs. Brigitte Macron greeted the Queen with “la bise” – the customary French greeting of a double cheek air kiss. The royal party and their guests stood still for the French national anthem. Mr Macron and the King later chatted enthusiastically as Household Cavalry made their way down the road and the open-top carriages arrived.

The arrangements are likely to form the template for US President Donald Trump’s high-profile state visit in September, but much will depend on security considerations for the US leader, who survived an assassination attempt last year.

A ceremonial welcome was then staged in the castle’s quadrangle with Camilla, William, Kate and Mrs Macron watching as the King and Mr Macron inspect the Guard of Honour.

The two couples chat before heading to Windsor Castle (
Image:
POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Lunch will be hosted in the State Dining Room, after which the president and his wife, the King and Queen and members of the royal family will view a special exhibition of items relating to France from the Royal Collection in the Green Drawing Room. Mr and Mrs Macron will also travel to London this afternoon to see the Grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey and visit the Palace of Westminster where the French leader will address parliamentarians before meeting opposition leaders at Lancaster House.

The King and president will both deliver speeches at the state banquet this evening in the medieval St George’s Hall, where some 160 guests will be seated at the elaborately decorated 50 metre table, which will run the full length of the vast room. Kensington Palace has yet to confirm whether Kate will attend the banquet.

During his speech, the King will stress the vital partnership between France and the UK in the face of a “multitude of complex threats”. As France and the UK are expected to announce a joint plan on small boat crossings, the King will highlight how “these challenges know no borders”, adding “no fortress can protect us against them this time”.

King Charles and Queen Camilla in Windsor today with President Macron (
Image:
Getty Images)

At a glittering banquet in the historic Berkshire landmark this evening, the monarch will deliver a speech, adding: “as friends and as allies, we face them together”. The King will also tell Mr Macron that Britain and France can help lead the way in confronting threats relating to defence, technology and climate change, saying: “Our two nations share not only values, but also the tireless determination to act on them in the world.”

The King, in his toast, will reflect on 1,000 years of “shared history and culture between our two peoples”, including many of the royal family’s personal connections to France. “For centuries our citizens have admired each other, amused each other, and imitated each other”, he will say, and reveal how he remains “in awe of France’s extraordinary attributes and achievements”.

The King and president enjoy a carriage ride (
Image:
Getty Images)
Charles will also hail the Anglo-French partnership as vital amid the many challenges of today, saying: “Our two countries face a multitude of complex threats, emanating from multiple directions. As friends and as allies, we face them together.”

It marks the first state visit to the UK by an EU head of state since Brexit, and will see Mr Macron address parliamentarians in the Palace of Westminster’s Royal Gallery and, on Thursday, join a UK-France Summit at Downing Street.

Defence, growth, security, migration and French tactics on tackling small boats will be discussed, with the two leaders expected to dial in to speak to other allied nations who are looking to support any future peace deal in Ukraine.

Downing Street said on Monday that the UK’s relationship with France was “key” to dealing with boat crossings, following reports French police officers had used knives to puncture a boat off the coast.