State Visit by The President of the French Republic and Mrs Brigitte Macron
Published
Today The President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, and Mrs Brigitte Macron, arrived in the UK to a spectacular welcome at the start of their State Visit.
The President and Mrs Macron were greeted by The Prince and Princess of Wales - on behalf of The King - ahead of the official welcome ceremony in Windsor.
In Windsor Town Centre, The King and Queen greeted their guests as the State Visit officially began, before boarding carriages which took them through crowds in the town and up the iconic Long Walk to Windsor Castle.
The spectacular official arrival ceremony took place in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle, where national anthems were played before President Macron was invited to inspect a Guard of Honour found by Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards and F Company Scots Guards.
The ceremony demonstrates the relationship between The King and the Armed Forces, as well as offering an impressive welcome for the visiting Head of State.
Following a private lunch, The King and Queen, and The President and Mrs Macron viewed a special display of French related items from the Royal Collection, which included an English glass believed to be the earliest champagne glass in existence - it was presented as a gift to King George V and Queen Mary from the champagne makers of Reims and Épernay and other artisans in 1935.
In the evening, The King, accompanied by The Queen and Members of the Royal Family, hosted a State Banquet in St George’s Hall, Windsor Castle.
During the State Banquet at Windsor Castle, The King welcomed Emmanuel Macron and Mrs. Macron with a speech celebrating a thousand years of shared history and culture between the people of Britain and France.
Read His Majesty's message in full.
Related content
A speech by His Majesty The King at the White House State Dinner, Washington
Tonight, we are here to renew an indispensable alliance which has long been a cornerstone of prosperity and security for both British and American citizens. Our people have...
The King’s Address to the Joint Meeting of Congress in Washington
The Alliance that our two Nations have built over the centuries – and for which we are profoundly grateful to the American people – is truly unique.
The King’s message to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth’s ‘promise with destiny kept’ shaped the world around her and touched the lives of countless people across our nation, the Commonwealth and beyond.
The King's letter to Colonel Jeremy Hansen ahead of the launch of the Artemis II mission
It is with immense pride and a profound sense of shared purpose that I write to you as you prepare to embark upon the Artemis II mission.
The King and Queen will undertake a State Visit to the United States of America followed by a Royal Visit by The King to Bermuda
A Speech by The Queen at a Literary Reception to mark the fifth anniversary of Her Majesty's Reading Room
I find it hard to believe that it is five years since I founded it, at the height of lockdown, with the simple aim of sharing my lifelong conviction that books make life...
The King's speech at the Nigeria State Banquet
We in the United Kingdom are blessed that so many people of Nigerian heritage, having chosen Britain as their home, are now at the heart of British life through excelling at...
The Queen's speech at a WOW reception to mark International Women's Day
Every woman has a story. And these stories must be told. Because when we live in a culture of silence, we empower violence against women and girls.
The King's Commonwealth Day Message 2026
Working together, we can ensure that the Commonwealth continues to stand as a force for good – grounded in community, committed to the kind of restorative sustainability that...
Royal Household Gift Policy 2026
This Gift Policy seeks to provide a framework for the management of gifts by The Royal Household, on behalf of The Sovereign and other Members of The Royal Family.
A message from His Majesty The King congratulating Team GB and teams across the Commonwealth on their successes at the Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina.
As the Winter Games come to a close, my wife and I send our most heartfelt congratulations to all the Olympic medal winners from Team GB, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, on...
A message from The King on the death of Reverend Jesse Jackson
My wife and I were deeply saddened to hear of the death of the Reverend Jesse Jackson. We send our deepest sympathy to his family. I remember with great fondness meeting him...
The Queen hears about Avon and Somerset Police's approach to tackling domestic abuse
12 February 2026
A message from The King ahead of a reception at Windsor Castle to celebrate carers
So to those who provide care - whether you wear a uniform or simply the clothes you felt able to pull on in the morning - please know that the great love you show in small...
A message from The King, following the attack at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia
My wife and I were profoundly shocked and saddened to learn of the most dreadful attack at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia. We can only express our deepest...
Announcement of a State Visit by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Speech delivered by The Queen during a visit to Maggie’s Cheltenham, to celebrate the charity’s 30th anniversary
I should like to end by expressing my heartfelt thanks to the whole Maggie’s community. To Maggie’s children, Lily and John, who have done so much to continue their mother’s...
