Start of the French state visit: a hand kiss for Princess Kate

Prince William (43) and Princess Kate (43) received the French President Emmanuel Macron (47) and his wife Brigitte (72) at the Northolt base in West-London on the state visit in Great Britain. Macron greeted the princess with a hand kiss.

Around 11:30 a.m. local time on July 8th, the French President couple rose from the jet. Of course, the eyes were primarily aimed at the women. While Brigitte Macron was wearing a white coat, the princess chose a rosé-cream-colored ensemble: the 30 montaigne Rose of the Vents Bar Jacket from the Christian-Dior collection 2024, a long skirt with a tulle layer, a hat by Jess Collett, earrings by Princess Diana and a pearl chain from Queen Elizabeth II.

After the greeting, the British heir to the throne and his guests went on the trip to Windsor to King Charles III. (76) and Queen Camilla (77). In a carriage procession through the city and along a part of the Long Walk, we go to the castle.

A ceremonial greeting is planned in the courtyard, at which Camilla, William, Kate and Brigitte Macron will watch how the king and the French president trigger the honor guard. Lunch is served in State Dining Room. Afterwards, the president and his wife, the king and the queen as well as members of the royal family in the Green Drawing Room will visit a special exhibition with objects with reference to France from the Royal Collection.

In the afternoon, the Macron goes back to London to visit the grave of the unknown soldier in the Westminster Abbey and visit the Westminster Palace, where the French head of state will speak before parliamentarians before he meets opposition leaders in the Lancaster House.

In the evening there is a large state banquet at Windsor Castle, where the macrons also spend the night during their visit. Both the king and the president will talk about the medieval St. George’s Hall. Around 160 guests will take a seat on the artistically decorated, 50 -meter -long board, which extends over the entire length of the huge room. The Kensington Palace has not yet confirmed whether Princess Kate will participate in the banquet.

The palace had already announced in May that King Charles III. The Macron had invited to a state visit that will take place from July 8th to 10th. It is the first French state visit in around 17 years and the first of an EU head of state since Brexit. In March 2008, President Nicolas Sarkozy (70) accepted an invitation from the Queen, who had since died. The British royal couple was last on a state visit to France in September 2023.