Royal Welcome: **Macron** Visits Windsor Castle

A historic state visit is underway as **President Emmanuel Macron** and his wife are hosted by the British royal family at Windsor Castle, marking the first such event at the residence in over a decade.

Royal Procession and Castle Lunch

The visit commenced with a royal carriage procession, with **King Charles**, the **Queen**, **Prince William**, and **Kate, the Princess of Wales**, accompanying the **Macrons**. Following the procession, the **Macrons** joined the royal family for lunch at Windsor Castle.

A Symbolic Visit

This state visit is the first from France to the UK in almost 20 years, the last being **President Nicolas Sarkozy**’s visit in 2008. Notably, Windsor Castle is hosting the event instead of Buckingham Palace for the first time in more than ten years.

Ceremonial Duties and Parliamentary Address

Following lunch, **Macron** paid respects at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey. Afterwards, he addressed the British Parliament at the Palace of Westminster.

Gifts Reflecting Royal Interests

Four carefully chosen gifts were presented to the **King** by **Macron**, each reflecting **Charles’s** personal interests. These included a rare edition of Claude Debussy’s opera, Pelléas et Mélisande, featuring a handwritten dedication, and a ceremonial trumpet associated with the French National Guard.

Additional gifts included a personalised, luxury watercolour box and a gourmet hamper filled with sweet and savory delicacies from France.

Evening State Banquet

The highlight of the visit is a State Banquet at Windsor Castle, where **President Macron** and his wife will be the guests of honour. The UK-France relationship remains strong; in 2022, bilateral trade amounted to £79.7 billion, making France the UK’s fifth-largest trading partner (gov.uk).