The King today formally welcomed President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, to the UK for a three-day state visit that combined dazzling ceremonial pageantry with a renewed emphasis on defence and security cooperation between the two nations.
Hosted at Windsor Castle - the first state visit held there since 2014 - the occasion was marked by the pomp and pageantry of Britain’s military tradition.
More than 950 personnel from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army’s Household Division and the Royal Air Force, supported by 70 horses, participated in the meticulously choreographed events under the command of Major General James Bowder, General Officer Commanding the Household Division.
As the French President inspected the troops, 20 soldiers from France’s elite 11e Brigade Parachutiste jumped over RAF Brize Norton using British low-level parachutes.
The joint training — with the UK’s 16 Air Assault Brigade — was a visible demonstration of the interoperability central to the UK-French Combined Joint Expeditionary Force, active since 2013.
The visit began at Windsor & Eton Riverside Station, where King and Queen Camilla greeted the Macrons.
The moment President Macron stepped onto the Royal Pavilion at nearby Datchet Road, a 41-Gun Royal Salute erupted from Home Park (Private) in Windsor, delivered by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery under Major Luke Wadman.
At the same moment, another 41-Gun Salute thundered from the Tower of London, fired by the Honourable Artillery Company.
From the station, the Presidential couple joined the King and Queen in a ceremonial carriage procession through Windsor.
The procession, accompanied by music from military bands representing all three services, moved through streets lined with flag-waving onlookers and was escorted by the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
Cavalrymen in full dress — silver breastplates, gleaming swords, and feathered helmets — rode Irish chargers groomed to perfection.
The Life Guards were easily distinguished by their red tunics and white-plumed silver helmets, while The Blues and Royals wore deep blue tunics with red plumes.
Commanding the Captain’s Escort was Major Charles Onslow of The Blues and Royals, who said escorting His Majesty on a state visit was a “very special privilege” and described how soldiers of the Regiment had “worked tremendously hard to ensure that the occasion was memorable and went according to plan.”
At Windsor Castle, the Presidential party entered the historic Quadrangle, where a Guard of Honour formed by the Grenadier Guards and Scots Guards stood ready.
Their scarlet tunics blazed in the summer light against the green lawn, their colours richly embroidered with regimental insignia and battle honours.
The Grenadier Guards wore white plumes in their bearskin caps, with a grenade emblem on their collars and single buttons on their tunics.
In contrast, the Scots Guards’ bearskins were plume-free, with thistle motifs on their collars and buttons arranged in threes.
The Captain of the Guard of Honour, Major Jake Sayers of the Grenadier Guards, approached President Macron and, speaking in fluent French, invited him to inspect the troops.
Accompanied by the King, Macron reviewed the Guard as the Massed Bands played L’Entente Cordiale, a musical nod to the alliance that has shaped over a century of military and diplomatic ties between the two countries.
After the inspection, the ceremonial concluded with a march-past.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, the foot guards, and the Captain’s Escort swept through the Quadrangle to the sound of Hielan Laddie and The British Grenadiers, exiting via King George IV Gate en route back to barracks.
While the ceremonial reinforced tradition and friendship, the visit also reflected serious geopolitical intent.
The Franco-British defence relationship — formalised in the 2010 Lancaster House Treaties — remains one of Europe’s most vital.
These treaties are set to be updated during the visit, in recognition of evolving threats including Russia’s war in Ukraine and instability across NATO’s eastern flank.
At RAF Brize Norton, where the French paratroopers were training alongside UK forces, soldiers from the 11e Brigade Parachutiste took part in ground exercises and parachute jumps using British low-level systems.
These efforts — earning them their “Bonds of Friendship” wings — are part of ongoing joint readiness within the Airborne Combined Joint Expeditionary Force.
French and British troops regularly deploy together, share nuclear and conventional defence technologies and remain stationed in Estonia under NATO’s deterrence efforts.
Last year, to mark the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale, French soldiers took part in the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, while British troops were honoured at the Élysée Palace in Paris.
The state visit continues with President Macron scheduled to address members of Parliament at the House of Lords.
His entrance will be flanked by 24 dismounted troopers from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment lining the staircase, with fanfares played by four State Trumpeters from the Band of the Household Cavalry.
In the evening, the King will host a State Banquet in St George’s Hall, where the Duchess of Edinburgh’s String Orchestra — conducted by Captain Alexandra Nixon — will perform a programme of French classical works and musical selections including Faure, Bizet and Les Misérables.
A dismounted Household Cavalry detachment will provide ceremonial duty on the Grand Staircase, and the banquet will conclude with a traditional performance by 12 pipers from the 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland.
The state visit, blending ceremony with substance, reflects not only the deep cultural and historical ties between Britain and France — but a shared commitment to security, diplomacy and enduring friendship in an uncertain world.
Earlier, the President and First Lady were greeted at RAF Northolt by the Prince and Princess of Wales. A ceremonial Carpet Lining Party, formed by the King’s Colour Squadron of the Royal Air Force, was stationed on the apron in honour of the occasion.
Representing His Majesty The King, Prince William and Catherine formally received the French couple, joined by the Lord Lieutenant of Greater London and the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.
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.
The Princess of Wales is wearing Christian Dior and Hat by Jess Collett. Diana, Princess of Wales earrings & pearl Necklace from HLMTQ collection. The Christian Dior jacket is the 30 Montaigne Rose Des Vents Bar Jacket. It is a piece from the 2024 Collection.
It was reimagined by Maria Grazia Chiuri who was inspired by the original, which was first created in 1947 by Christian Dior himself.
