King Charles tells a state banquet held for French President Emmanuel Macron that the UK and France stand "ever closer"
The King, who addressed guests in both English and French, also spoke of the need to tackle "irregular migration across the English Channel"
It's a star-studded guestlist in Windsor this evening, our royal correspondent Sean Coughlan writes, with Sir Mick Jagger and Dame Kristen Scott-Thomas in attendance
Macron also addressed Parliament earlier today, telling MPs the UK and France have a duty to tackle illegal migration "with humanity, solidarity and firmness"
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Macron laid wreaths at the statue of former French President Charles de Gaulle in central London - they will meet again on Wednesday to discuss the issue of small boats crossing the Channel
King and Macron say state visit will 'deepen alliance'
Macron continues his statement, discussing negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza and for a robust peace.
We will work together on a path to peace in the Middle East, he says.
Together, we have called for the release of all hostages and for a ceasefire in Gaza, he adds.
Macron says a "war without end" poses a "huge threat" to the region and our collective security.
Image source, UK ParliamentMacron's call for allies to "work together" to "protect the international order" is met with applause at the Palace of Westminster.
He says Ukraine was "illegally" attacked by Russia and the UK responded as a close "ally" to Ukraine, "as you did decades ago with my country", referring to the UK's support for France in World War Two.
Macron says "every time Vladimir Putin's Russia advances in Ukraine, the threat moves closer to us all".
He says they will never "accept that might is right", adding Europeans will "never abandon Ukraine, never" - prompting rapturous applause
Macron calls for 'order, order' to calm unrest in the world
The peaceful order today is being attacked "on a daily basis" with the return of war to our continent, Macron says.
We're also witnessing the "flouting of international rules by destabilising powers".
He addresses Hoyle, saying he and his fellow Speakers have become famous even in France.
"Today, we wish to join in shouting out 'order, order' with you to calm the unrest in the world," he says to laughter.
Image source, UK ParliamentMacron moves onto the topic of war now. The "shared path was forged in the brotherhood of arms," he says.
He references World War One, and thanks Prime Minister Keir Starmer for attending the ceremonies of 11 November last year, honouring the fallen soldiers.
He was the first British head of government to spend Armistice Day in Paris in 80 years, Macron says to a loud applause.
"The French people shall never forget the sacrifices British people made to protect Europe and the world during the two world wars," he says.
He adds that Winston Churchill "was one of the visionaries who had the foresight to help forge a strong transatlantic alliance".
"He passed the same vision onto us of a world order based law, justice and respect for territory and integrity."
Iain Watson
Political correspondent reporting from Westminster
There is laughter in the Royal Gallery when Macron tells MPs and peers: "We love monarchy - especially when it’s not at home."
He mentions France's Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen in 1789 and goes on to talk about the pathway to "democratic order" and the "rule of law".
Macron takes to the podium to long applause and begins by addressing those in the audience and thanking Hoyle for his words.
It's a great honour to speak in front of both Houses of Parliament, he says.
The Palace of Westminster is "a place of history bygone, and history in the making," he adds.
Image source, UK ParliamentEmmanuel Macron has begun his address to both Houses of Parliament in the Royal Gallery.
The room is packed with politicians, who are listening to the French leader intently.
As a reminder, you can watch our live feed of the address by clicking Watch Live at the top of this page.
Iain Watson
Political correspondent reporting from Westminster
Keir Starmer arrived to take his seat just before Emmanuel Macron’s entrance.
The French president was greeted to loud applause as peers and MPs stood to greet him.
The Commons speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, is giving the official welcome and says the very term "Parliament" owes its existence to the French language.
While the walls of the venue are adorned with paintings of Waterloo and Trafalgar, the Speaker unsurprisingly focuses on World Wars I and II.
Image source, UK ParliamentMacron is being introduced by House of Commons Speaker Linsday Hoyle, who says the shared history between the UK and France "goes back 900 years".
Hoyle says they have fought "side by side", and goes on to discuss the UK and France's deep partnership and co-operation.
President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, have now arrived at the Palace of Westminster, where the French leader is set to deliver a statement.
Macron is being welcomed with a standing ovation and applause by MPs and peers.
Image source, PA MediaMacron departs Westminster Abbey after paying his respects at the grave of the Unknown Warrior
After a short engagement in Westminster Abbey, Macron is now on his way to the Palace of Westminster where he will address MPs and peers shortly.
He will make his statement in the Royal Gallery, the largest room in the Palace of Westminster, which is used for formal occasions attended by both Houses.
Daniel Wittenberg
Reporting from Windsor
Image source, EPA/ShutterstockPresident Macron came to Windsor earlier bearing four gifts for King Charles, each carefully selected to reflect the monarch’s personal interests, the Elysée Palace has confirmed.
During the French president’s state visit, the King will be given:
Iain Watson
Political correspondent reporting from Westminster
Although the Royal Gallery is the largest room in the Palace of Westminster, it is now standing-room only as MPs and peers await the French president’s arrival.
The room is mainly used for important occasions, including parliamentary ceremonies and state receptions.
US Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, as well as German Chancellor Angela Merkel, have previously addressed both Houses in the room.
Iain Watson
Political correspondent, reporting from Westminster
In the front row, awaiting the French president’s arrival, are leader of the opposition, Kemi Badenoch, and the Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey.
The Conservative and Lib Dem leaders will meet Macron privately later today.
Labour’s Lucy Powell, who is leader of the House of Commons, has a front row seat too. Presumably the prime minister will be joining them.
Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent, reporting from Windsor
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Bayeux Tapestry, depicting the battle of Hastings and the Norman conquest, is going to go on display at the British Museum next year. It'll be on show from September 2026 until July 2027.
In exchange, the treasures of the Sutton Hoo Anglo-Saxon burial and other items, such as the Lewis chessmen, will be heading to France.
It's an unmistakable symbol of mutual trust.
The British Museum's director Nicholas Cullinan described the Tapestry, recording William the Conqueror's victory in 1066, as "one of the most important and unique cultural artefacts in the world".
It's going to be a blockbuster exhibition. Is it bound to be called A Stitch in Time?
Image source, ReutersAs we've been reporting, Macron is visiting Westminster Abbey ahead of his address to Parliament today.
The French president is laying a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Warrior. He died in the First World War, and the grave contains French soil.
The grave is a memorial to the dead of World War One, particularly those who have no known grave.
Image source, PA MediaEmmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte have arrived at London's Westminster Abbey. They are there to pay their respects at the grave of the Unknown Warrior.
Crowds of people are stood outside, trying to get a glimpse of the French president.
Iain Watson
Political correspondent, reporting from Westminster
Image source, AFPThe late Queen Elizabeth II dined with Francois Mitterrand and Prince Philip during a 1984 state visit
Another French president who was given a state visit was Francois Mitterrand in 1984.
Lord Robertson - the former Labour defence secretary - tells me his party’s left-wing MPs turned out in numbers to greet the French socialist party leader.
But enthusiasm turned to dismay when he waxed lyrical about the "force de frappe" - the French nuclear deterrent - when support for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) was at its zenith in the UK.
Iain Watson
Political correspondent, reporting from Westminster
Image source, Getty ImagesPresident Macron will soon address members of both Houses of Parliament in Westminster.
Peers have assembled in the elaborately decorated Royal Gallery and MPs are on their way.
On his visit, President Zelensky addressed MPs and peers not here, but in Westminster Hall.
Perhaps that would have been a more diplomatic venue for hosting a French president - as the stand-out features of the Royal Gallery are two enormous, CinemaScope-sized paintings of... the battles of Trafalgar and Waterloo.
Damian Grammaticas
Political correspondent
Image source, Getty ImagesDowning Street says it expects to make "good progress" on tackling small boat crossings during Macron's time in the UK.
The spokesperson says they won't speculate about the possibility of a deal allowing the UK to return some migrants to France, but says "our joint work with the French is as strong as it's ever been".
Asked whether the UK, as the Conservatives have suggested, should demand a refund of the £800m paid to France to try to stop the crossings, the spokesperson says they've "secured a significant ramping up of the operational capabilities from French law enforcement".
"This year alone, 12,000 crossing attempts have been prevented. Specialist French intelligence units are operating across the beaches and, for the first time ever, their officers are preparing to intervene in shallow waters," they add.
The spokesperson emphasises that there is "no one single solution" to small boat crossings, but says the government is "securing agreements and levels of joint working that have never been seen before with the French".