In pictures: French President Macron's UK state visit

King Charles III and French President Emmanuel Macron talk during a carriage procession to Windsor Castle. — Image caption,
King Charles III and President Emmanuel Macron were seen chatting during a carriage procession to Windsor Castle

8 July 2025

The French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte are in the UK for a three-day state visit.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla met the Macrons in Windsor, where crowds cheered a carriage procession.

The French couple were greeted by Prince William and Catherine as they touched down at RAF Northolt.

The president later addressed Parliament and met UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, before attending a state banquet at Windsor Castle hosted by the King.

Below are some of the best pictures from the first day of the visit.

You can also follow events live here.

On an airport tarmac Emmanuel Macron kisses the Princess of Wales's hand, while a step behind them, Prince William speaks to Brigitte Macron. — Image caption,
Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron are greeted by Prince William and Catherine on the tarmac at RAF Northolt

The French presidential couple is greeted by King Charles and Queen Camilla in Windsor. The King wears a navy suit, Queen Camilla wears a green hat and matching dress, and Ms Macron wears a white dress. — Image caption,
In Windsor, the French presidential couple were later greeted by the King and Queen

Queen Camilla (right) and Brigitte Macron are seen during a carriage procession to Windsor Castle. — Image caption,
The Queen (right) and Brigitte Macron were riding in a separate carriage to their partners

Queen Camilla, King Charles, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte stand in a white gazebo as they watch the Guard of Honour, made up of men dressed in red tunics and black bearskin caps, in the grounds of Windsor Castle. — Image caption,
The King and Queen and their guests then reviewed the Guard of Honour at the historic grounds of Windsor Castle

French President Emmanuel Macron and King Charles inspect the Guard of Honour at Windsor Castle. — Image caption,
President Macron and King Charles then personally inspected the guardsmen

The Prince and Princess of Wales wave to crowds as they sit in a carriage. Catherine wears a dusty pink jacket and matching hat. William wears a dark blue suit. — Image caption,
Princess of Wales Catherine and Prince of Wales William also took part in the welcoming procession in Windsor Castle

Members of the Scots Guards, men dressed in red tunics and black bearskin caps, march while holding ceremonial black rifles to their shoulders. — Image caption,
Preparations were in full swing since early morning in Windsor, where the main events are taking place on day one of the state visit

A young boy is seen behind a window which has his hands and the hands of other young people sticking out of a gap at the bottom of it while waving the red, white and blue flag of France. — Image caption,
Well-wishers in Windsor greeted the French presidential couple by waving tricolour flags

UK and French flags draped on posts straddle a road which dozens of police officers walk down. — Image caption,
UK and French flags have been flying around Windsor for the occasion

Queen Camilla, King Charles, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte view items laid out on a table that are obscured from view by two open cases which contain the items. — Image caption,
The two couples viewed items on display at the Royal Collection exhibition at Windsor Castle

Two cases which lay open on a table contain volumes of books while on book is left opened with the title "The Tempest" clearly seen on one page. — Image caption,
The items included a copy of Comedies, histories and tragedies, London 1632, by William Shakespeare

Emmanuel Macron, centre, kneels down to place a colourful wreath at a plaque on the ground inside Westminster Abbey, which is bordered by poppies. Brigitte stands solemnly to the left, and the sub-Dean of Westminster Abbey, Reverend David Stanton stands on the right. They are flanked by two soldiers in black uniform standing at salute. — Image caption,
In the afternoon, the Macrons took a tour of Westminster Abbey, where the French president placed a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Warrior

Macron stands at a lectern inside Parliament. Behind him, Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle sits with his hands folded in his land, and to his left sits Brigitte Macron. — Image caption,
Macron delivered a wide-ranging speech to MPs in Parliament, in which he said that the UK and France have a duty to tackle illegal migration and addressed the wars in Ukraine and Gaza

Victoria Starmer, Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron stand with their backs facing the camera, looking at the statue of de Gaulle, which has two wreaths at its base. Keir Starmer walks back towards them — Image caption,
The French president and his wife then joined Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria to lay a wreath at the statues of Sir Winston Churchill and former French President Charles de Gaulle (pictured)

The Prince and Princess of Wales smile at each other as they walk to the banquet hall in Windsor Castle. Other senior royals are chatting behind them as they walk through a door. — Image caption,
The main event of the day was the state banquet at Windsor Castle, which the Princess of Wales attended. She has been absent from the last big ceremonial dinners

Emmanuel Macron sits at the banquet table looking up at King Charles as he gives a speech while pointing his finger. — Image caption,
The King emphasised the UK and France's shared history in his speech to the 160 guests attending the banquet

A member of staff is making the final touches to a long table set with elaborate bouquets of flowers in gold vases and table-wear in Windsor Castle. — Image caption,
The banquet featured summer vegetables, Welsh chicken and a blackcurrant-soaked sponge with elderflower jelly

Queen Camilla, Emmanuel Macron, King Charles and Brigitte Macron stand in a line as they post for a photo at the state banquet — Image caption,
The Queen wore an ivory silk and crepe embroidered evening gown, and a sapphire and diamond tiara, necklace, earrings and bracelet which were all part of Queen Elizabeth II's sapphire suite.

King Charles addresses the banquet's guests, who line a long table covered in flowers, lamps and table-wear. — Image caption,
Among the guests in attendance were Dame Kristin Scott-Thomas, Sir Mick Jagger and Sir Elton John

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