King Charles and Macron toast ‘ever closer’ UK-France ties at state banquet

The King mentioned relations between the UK and France are rising “ever nearer” as he hosted Emmanuel Macron at a lavish state banquet at Windsor Fortress.

The French president spoke of his confidence in ties between the nations because the pair dined alongside members of the Royal Household and a few 160 friends, together with Sir Mick Jagger and Sir Elton John.

Macron and spouse Brigitte have been earlier greeted at RAF Northolt by the Prince and Princess of Wales to kick off their state go to, earlier than assembly the King and Queen in Windsor, whereas Macron additionally gave a speech in Parliament.

The three-day go to is the primary by a French president since 2008, and the primary by a European Union political chief since Brexit.

Beginning his state banquet speech in French, the King welcomed Macron earlier than remarking that a lot has occurred since his personal royal tour of France in 2023.

The UK and France “have stood ever nearer since then”, he mentioned.

King Charles spoke of the deep cultural, political and historic ties between the 2 nations earlier than turning to joint cooperation in going through cross-border threats in an unsure world of “terrorism, organised crime and cyberattacks”.

He additionally spoke of efforts to sort out “irregular migration throughout the English Channel”, the risk posed by local weather change and offering help for Ukraine.

The King’s speech was not all seriousness, nevertheless, as he spoke calmly of a neighbourly relationship “constructed on co-operation and mutual fascination”.

“This night, we’ve got drunk English glowing wine made by a French champagne home. This might have been scarcely plausible to at the very least a few of our predecessors,” he mentioned.

In his speech, Macron expressed his confidence within the relationship between the UK and France, and recalled shared historic ties, switching between English and French, earlier than turning to the current day.

“On both facet of the channel, there’s a fixed reminder that we must not ever decrease our guard,” he mentioned.

Macron mentioned it was vital the UK and Britain work collectively on analysis, science and training.

He additionally spoke concerning the Bayeux Tapestry returning to the UK, greater than 900 years after its creation.

He says the ultimate elements of the tapestry are lacking is a “highly effective image”, that “within the nice mural of Franco-British historical past, the tip is but to be written – it’s as much as us to do it”.

Different senior royals have been among the many 160 friends, together with the Princess of Wales, who sat to Macron’s proper.

She has been absent from the final couple of huge ceremonial dinners, with the South Korean state go to in November 2023 the final she attended.

Amongst friends have been Rolling Stones singer Sir Mick Jagger, actress Dame Kristin Scott-Thomas, Sir Elton John, First Dates star Fred Sirieux and former England goalkeeper Mary Earps, who sat subsequent to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

The state banquet was held at Windsor Fortress relatively than the standard ballroom at Buckingham Palace, which is present process renovations.

The menu for the night started with a particular cocktail known as “l’entente”, which mixed British gin with lemon curd and French pastis, adorned with French cornflowers and English roses.

Chef Raymond Blanc made a menu beginning with a collection of tender summer season greens with sage, uncooked tomato and additional virgin olive oil dressing.

The principle course was a supreme of Rhug Property hen with Norfolk asparagus and tarragon cream, with an iced blackcurrant-soaked sponge with elderflower jelly chosen for dessert.

Earlier within the day Macron addressed each Homes of Parliament, calling it “a terrific honour”.

He addressed plenty of subjects together with the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and points resembling commerce and migration.

He praised the partnership between France and the UK over supporting Ukraine, saying “we are going to battle till the final minute” for a ceasefire to barter “sustainable peace”.

On the battle within the Center East, Macron known as for “a ceasefire in Gaza, with none situation”, and added “working collectively” to recognise a Palestinian state is the “solely path to peace”.

The French president additionally known as for the UK, France and Europe to strengthen safety by investing in expertise and scale back “extreme dependence on China and the US”.

Following the speech, Macron went to Parliament Sq. to a lay a wreath on the statue of Winston Churchill together with Sir Keir.

Earlier on Tuesday, Macron and the King chatted enthusiastically as they travelled to Windsor Fortress in open-top carriages, accompanied by Family Cavalry.

Queen Camilla and Brigitte Macron travelled behind in a separate carriage.

Mrs Macron was seen blowing kisses to the group because the carriages swept via Windsor. The bands struck up the Marseillaise – the nationwide anthem of France – as they handed the fort, with the procession shifting at fairly a tempo.

There have been cheers for Prince William and Catherine from crowds lining the streets.

Catherine, in a nod in direction of French trend, was carrying a Christian Dior jacket. It was her first public look since talking final week concerning the challenges in recovering after chemotherapy.

King Charles and Macron later carried out a ceremonial inspection of guards in purple tunics and bearskins within the quadrangle of Windsor Fortress, earlier than heading inside for lunch.

As a part of this diplomatic schmoozing, Macron and his spouse have been proven a show of French-themed gadgets from the Royal Assortment.

This included Queen Victoria’s journal entry from August 1855, when Victoria had turn into the primary British monarch for 400 years to have visited Paris.

In the course of the go to, Starmer and Macron are anticipated to talk by cellphone to different allied nations seeking to help any future peace deal in Ukraine.

On Wednesday, Macron will see a horse that he gave to the late Queen Elizabeth II, to mark her Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

The French president and his spouse are additionally set to go to the tomb of the late Queen throughout their keep in Windsor.

The UK authorities has spoken of desirous to “reset” post-Brexit relations with European neighbours and Macron’s go to shall be a public endorsement of the longstanding alliance with France.

Advances in science shall be highlighted in the course of the go to, with examples of synthetic intelligence and revolutionary expertise being proven to the French guests at Imperial Faculty London.

The King and Queen carried out a state go to to France in 2023, when he acquired a standing ovation for his speech to the French Senate.

He had given a strongly worded message of help for Ukraine after Russia’s “horrifying” full-scale invasion in 2022. The King had additionally highlighted the “existential problem” of local weather change.