French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte were greeted by Prince William and Kate Middleton during the first day of their state visit to the UK
French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte received a royal welcome from Prince William and Kate Middleton earlier today, with a skilled lip reader catching a heartwarming exchange.
After stepping off their plane on the historic state visit, the Macrons shared a warm handshake with the royals. The French president was seen giving William’s hand a firm shake and then moving on to an air kiss for Kate’s hand. Meanwhile, Brigitte greeted the princess, who shone brightly in a Christian Dior dress complemented by Diana’s earrings, with classic French double cheek kisses.
Lip reader Jeremy Freeman captured the politician telling the Cambridges: “Thank you, thank you very much, thank you… it’s good to see you.”
His wife also shared a tender moment with Kate. Jeremy spotted Brigitte telling her it was “so good” to see Kate, adding “you look great”, perhaps in reference to her cancer battle.
Kate, 43, recently discussed her cancer journey, stating that such a diagnosis is “life-changing” after revealing her battle in March of the previous year.
And speaking during a visit to Colchester Hospital in Essex, she said: “You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment. Treatment’s done, then it’s like, ‘I can crack on, get back to normal,’ but actually, the phase afterwards is really, really difficult.”
She also paid a visit to The Royal Marsden hospital in London this January where she had been treated and joyfully announced her remission.
Following the heartfelt greetings, the French dignitaries were officially welcomed by King Charles and Queen Camilla at Windsor town centre’s Datchet Road.
A state banquet scheduled for tonight will take place in St George’s Hall, hosting 160 esteemed guests, and will feature King Charles giving a noteworthy speech.
He is expected to highlight the crucial Franco-British relationship amidst a “multitude of complex threats”. Plans for cooperation on small boat crossings are anticipated to be unveiled.
In his toast, Charles will also reflect on the “shared history and culture between our two peoples”, noting: “For centuries our citizens have admired each other, amused each other.”
He will also reveal he remains “in awe of France’s extraordinary attributes and achievements”.
It was at Charles’ invitation that the French president is visiting the UK, marking the first state visit by an EU head of state since Brexit. Macron’s agenda includes discussions with Keir Starmer on pressing matters such as migration, defence, and investment.
