King Charles III tells a state banquet held for French President Emmanuel Macron's visit 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'
King Charles III has now left the car, followed by Queen Camilla.
They are now on a stage and greeting officials before they are set to welcome the French president.
Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent, reporting from Windsor
The King and Queen have left Windsor Castle by car to meet their French visitors, waving to the crowds along the way.
Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent, reporting from Windsor
Image source, ReutersPrince William is increasingly stepping up on the international stage. He greeted the French president today and they’ve met a number of times before.
Last month they were on stage together at an environmental event in Monaco about protecting the oceans. Prince William also saw Macron at the re-opening of the Notre Dame cathedral last year, where he had a meeting with President Trump, who is expected in the UK this autumn.
Catherine is back on duty, having spoken recently about the long lasting and “life changing” impact of chemotherapy, where she warned that getting back to normal was a slow process.
Let's go over to Windsor now as the town awaits the arrival of French President Macron and his wife Brigitte.
A stage is set in the town, with mounted household cavalry surrounding it. Band members are playing songs, including a rendition of Holding Out For a Hero.
Stick with us for the latest.
Daniel Wittenberg
Reporting from Windsor
French President Macron is making his way to Windsor to meet the King and Queen Camilla before a carriage procession takes place through the town.
Close to a thousand people are now gathered outside Windsor Castle, which is decked with British and French flags on either side of the high street.
The mood by the barriers is chipper, with royal fans cheerfully chit-chatting to police officers lining the carriage procession route. Some are waving Union flags – and the occasional souvenir tea towel.
It’s very much a morning for the monarchists. French tricolours are few and far between in the crowd. The cross-Channel politics will come later in the state visit – for now, it’s all about the pageantry.
Image source, Getty ImagesMore now from Macron, who posted on social media moments after touching down in the UK.
"Together, we will address the major challenges of our time: security, defence, nuclear energy, space, innovation, artificial intelligence, migration, and culture," he says.
"The willingness expressed by the United Kingdom to strengthen ties with the European Union is a powerful signal — one that I welcome," Macron adds.
He also mentions efforts to support Ukraine, giving examples of the "vibrant and forward-looking" partnership.
"French and British: two free and proud peoples who never give up. That is what unites us, beyond any official texts. That is what binds us," he says.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte are now on their way to Windsor, where they will be met by the King and Queen.
Watch: Moment William and Kate greet President Macron and wife Brigitte on runway
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte are now leaving their aircraft at RAF Northolt.
Stepping off the plane, they are being greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales on a red carpet.
The couples are now set to head to Windsor.
As a reminder, you can follow the events by clicking Watch Live at the top of this page.
Image source, Reuters
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Prince and Princess of Wales are now walking up to the plane to welcome the French president.
Military personnel have just marched in rows of two in front of the French aircraft at RAF Northolt.
They are now stood on either side of a red carpet, ready to greet the French president and his wife Brigitte.
You can follow the action by clicking Watch Live at the top of this page.
Image source, PA MediaMacron has just posted on social media shortly after touching down in the UK.
He describes the state visit as an "important moment for our two nations" and also a "significant moment for our Europe", adding the "bond is longstanding, forged by history and strengthened by trust".
Daniela Relph
Senior royal correspondent
The Princess of Wales is mixing French and British for her outfit today.
Kate is expected to welcome the French president and his wife Brigitte at RAF Northolt alongside William, the Prince of Wales.
Catherine is wearing Christian Dior and a hat by British milliner, Jess Collett. The Christian Dior jacket is inspired by an original creation by the designer himself in 1947.
Image source, Getty ImagesWe're seeing French planes land at RAF Northolt. A red carpet sits rolled up on the tarmac, and a huddle of journalists stand on nearby grass.
There's lines of blacked out cars and police waiting.
Image source, PA MediaFrench President Emmanuel Macron has touched down at RAF Northolt for a three-day state visit to the UK.
Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent, reporting from Windsor
Image source, Getty ImagesState visits are a strange mix of pageantry and politics. In the case of the French visit, it’s a mix of horses and horse-trading.
There will be a ceremonial carriage procession, jangling along past the crowds, and a visit to see a horse given by President Macron to the late Queen Elizabeth.
But then there will also be negotiations between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Macron about stopping people crossing the English Channel on small boats and trying to firm up the coalition supporting Ukraine.
Among all of that, will be a series of glitzy photo opportunities, with the UK's French visitors being feted by the King and Queen as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Daniel Wittenberg
Reporting from Windsor
Maryna, Candice, Linda and Michelle are eagerly waiting for the carriage procession led by King Charles and President Macron
Several hundred people are already lining Windsor’s high street, where British and French flags are fluttering side by side in the sunshine.
The crowd is waiting for the carriage procession led by King Charles and President Macron – though many are especially keen to catch a glimpse of the Princess of Wales, who is making a gradual return to public life after her cancer diagnosis last year.
Maryna Kosydar, 45, has taken the day off work to be here. Originally from Ukraine, Maryna now lives in Windsor and says she is determined not to miss the occasion.
“It’s very British. This country does these events so well,” she tells me.
Maryna is standing by the barriers outside Windsor Castle with a group of women from different parts of the world who all met for the first time this morning.
Among them is Michelle David, from Bridgend in South Wales, who says she’s here partly in tribute to her mother, who died two months ago.
“She would have loved this,” she says. “We often came here to Windsor together, so it feels right to be here today.”
Over from across the Atlantic are sisters-in-law Linda and Candice from Boston, Massachusetts, who stumbled upon the preparations while exploring Windsor at the weekend, and came back to see it.
Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent, reporting from Windsor
We’re in Windsor, where barriers and police are in place along the route of the carriage procession.
French tricolours are flying along the high street and there are a couple of people who are getting into the spirit, wearing stripy T-shirts and waving baguettes. It appears no stereotype will be left unturned.
The visit is being hosted in Windsor Castle because Buckingham Palace is undergoing renovations. It means that the castle will also be the venue for this evening’s state banquet, rather than the glittering palace ballroom.
What to expect from Macron's state visit
From royal weddings to the Order of the Garter, residents of Windsor are no strangers to the pomp and pageantry of royal events.
The latest images from outside Windsor Castle show an enhanced police presence in the area and French flags raised.
Rehearsals have been taking place to make sure "timings, positions, drill and music" are perfected "in order to create the perfect spectacle", the armed forces say.
Meanwhile, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead says it is "working closely" with police, the Crown Estate and other partners to "minimise disruption".
Image source, ReutersThere is an enhanced police presence in Windsor ahead of Macron's arrival
Image source, ReutersKing Charles and Macron at a state dinner in Versailles, 2023
King and Queen Camilla are set to welcome Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, as they arrive for a three-day state visit to the UK today.
The French president will address both MPs and peers at the Royal Gallery, before a state banquet later today - where King Charles is expected to say the UK and France must stand united in the face of a "multitude of complex threats".
Windsor Castle will take on the bulk of the hosting duties, while Buckingham Palace undergoes renovations, with the visit set to feature plenty of pomp and pageantry - think gun salutes, carriages, and dishes served on fancy china.
But it's not all ceremony - state visits are a key tool of UK soft power, and there will be business to discuss.
Macron is the first European leader to attend a state visit to the UK since Charles III was crowned, and since the UK left the EU.
The French leader is expected to attend a meeting of, what UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called, the "coalition of the willing" - an informal group of nations working to help Ukraine.
The trip will culminate with a UK-France summit, with Downing Street reportedly hoping Macron's government will provide more support to stop people from crossing the English Channel in small boats.
We'll have all the latest right here, so stick with us.