A royal salute
A royal salute was given by the soldiers on parade. Warmly welcoming President Macron and his wife, the French national anthem was also played while Major Jake Sayers, captain of the guard of honour, spoke in French to Macron.
He told the visiting head of state: “Your excellency, the guard of honour of the Grenadier Guards and Scots Guards is present and ready for your inspection.”
The French leader was joined by King Charles as he walked past the guardsmen who had formed two lines on the quadrangle of Windsor Castle. At the same time, the Massed Band of the
Grenadier Guards and the Scots Guards played L’Entente Cordiale.
Catherine and William join the procession
The Prince and Princess of Wales also joined the procession.
They were seen riding in an Ascot Landau on a state drive to Windsor Castle. The ride put Catherine’s Dior outfit on full display, as well as her Jess Collett bow-adorned hat.
The royal couple were last seen in a royal carriage together on Garter Day in June. Catherine sported a white Self-Portrait look with a triple string of pearls that was reminiscent of today’s Dior ensemble.
A royal carriage procession
The carriage procession arrived at Windsor Castle, where military units awaited a ceremonial welcome.
A guard of honour, formed by the Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards and F Company Scots Guards bearing their state colours, stood central. President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte joined the King and Queen on a dais, with the Prince and Princess of Wales nearby.
Macron and the King exchanged warm words, with the President touching the King’s back. The elaborate display also included the Military Knights of Windsor, a Household Cavalry detachment, and the King’s Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard.
King Charles’ eye trouble
Overnight, the King experienced a burst blood vessel in his right eye, which is said to be unrelated to any other health conditions.
However, Charles powered on. Both Charles and Camilla spoke with guests on the dais in Windsor as the military band trumpeted out ahead of the Macrons’ arrival. The monarch was also seen chatting enthusiastically with President Macron, who affectionately tapped Charles on the back.
Glorious in green
Queen Camilla looked glorious in green as she accompanied King Charles by car at Dachet Road in Windsor after travelling from the castle, ready to meet Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron.
Camilla, 77, wore a bright emerald green chiffon dress by Anna Valentine with three-quarter-length sleeves and a shin-skimming skirt.
It was accessorised with a hat by Philip Treacy in the same jewel hue. The royal also sported an emerald and diamond brooch that belonged to the late Queen.
As they stood chatting, Emmanuel Macron placed his hand on the King’s back warmly. Meanwhile, Brigitte Macron greeted the Queen with “la bise” – the customary French greeting of a double air kiss on the cheek.
A right royal welcome
The King and Queen have arrived to greet France’s President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron, ahead of a ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle.
The King and Queen arrived by car at Dachet Road in Windsor after travelling from the castle.
Cheers erupted from the crowd as the state limousine made its way down to the dais as the national anthem played out.
Charles grinned as he took the hand of Brigitte Macron, who smiled warmly back before offering Camilla a kiss on each cheek.
President Macron’s wife looked chic in a fitted white dress and gold accessories.
Travel details
The King and Emmanuel Macron will travel together through Windsor in the 1902 State Landau, followed by the Queen and Brigitte Macron in the Semi-State Landau.
The third carriage, the Ascot Landau, will carry the Prince and Princess of Wales who will accompany France’s armed forces minister Sebastien Lecornu and French culture minister, Rachida Dati.
The final two Ascot Landau carriages will ferry French officials including Helene Duchene, the French ambassador to the UK, and General Fabien Mandon, chief of the military staff.
A warm welcome
After disembarking the plane, the French president warmly shook Prince William’s hand. He subsequently took Catherine’s hand and delivered an air kiss.
Others presented as part of the welcoming committee were Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, RAF Northolt station commander Group Captain Jonathan Hough, the King’s ambassador in Paris Dame Menna Rawlings.
Princess Catherine’s Wimbledon wardrobe
For fashion fans, Wimbledon is almost as synonymous with Princess Catherine’s stellar style choices as it is with scorching serves and fearsome forehands.
In her guise as The Royal Shopper, over on The HELLO! Royal Club, Leanne Bayley delved into the fashionable royal’s SW19 wardrobe through the years, provided some affordable alternatives, and predicted what she might opt for this week.
William and Catherine greet Macron and his wife
The Prince and Princess of Wales were all smiles as they arrived to greet Macron and his wife. For the special occasion, Princess Catherine donned a putty-hued tulle skirt and a matching jacket. She spruced up her look with strings of pearls, nude pumps and a saucer hat topped with a bow. Perfection!
William, meanwhile, looked dapper in a smart navy suit and a patterned tie to match.
Macron arrives
Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron have arrived at RAF Northolt! In preparation for their disembarkment, a red carpet was rolled out.
Maternity label worn by Catherine enters administration
Some sad news for Princess Catherine just in! The maternity fashion firm, whose clothes were worn by the Princess of Wales during her pregnancies, has collapsed into administration.
Seraphine appointed administrators from Interpath on Monday in a move that has seen the majority of its 95 staff made redundant.
The retailer struggled amid rising costs and a difficult backdrop for consumer spending. While the brand sought to find a buyer, it was unable to secure a sale.
Previous state visits to Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle has played host to several state visits over the years, with the last one to take place in 2014, when the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins visited.
Other historic state visits include that of the President of Poland in 1991, King Olav of Norway in 1988, Queen Margrethe of Denmark in 2000, and King Hussein and Queen Dina of Jordan in 1955.
Why Windsor Castle is a special place for the royals
Windsor Castle holds a special place in the hearts of British royals. It’s famously where the late Queen Elizabeth II grew up alongside her sister Princess Margaret, and has played host to a number of royal weddings including that of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
It also serves as the backdrop to The Order of the Garter ceremony, as well as the hotly-anticipated Royal Windsor Horse Show.
Monegasque style maven
Charlotte Casiraghi is a reliable source of fashion inspo – and her latest look in no exception!
Stepping out on Wednesday, the Monegasque royal was a vision in sky blue as she attended the Chanel Haute Couture Autumn/Winter show. Princess Caroline of Monaco’s daughter is a longtime ambassador for the French fashion house, and is frequently spotted ‘in the frow’.
State visit details
The upcoming state visit is an historic one on several counts.
It is the first to the UK by an EU head of state since Brexit, and the first to be staged at Windsor Castle in 11 years.
What’s more, it is also the first French state visit to the UK in 17 years since that of the former French president Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008.
Amelia Windsor on living sustainably
Prince William and Prince Harry’s third cousin Lady Amelia Windsor has long been vocal about her commitment to protecting the planet.
In an interview with HELLO!, the model spoke about her approach to living sustainably, saying: “Living more sustainably has been a gradual process of learning and discovering,.
“The eco-friendly world is a space where people share knowledge and accept that you can’t be perfect, but the small changes you make can have a positive impact on you personally, as well as on the planet.”
William’s overseas trip
The UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 is in full swing! And fans will be delighted to hear that Prince William will travelling to Switzerland on Wednesday to support the Lionesses.
In his role as Patron of The Football Association, Prince William will watch England take on the Netherlands in the Group Stage.
State visit agenda
Good morning,
We have an exciting day of royal watching ahead, and plenty of pomp and pageantry, as France’s President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron begin their three-day state visit to the UK. Here’s what you can expect from the day:
The Prince and Princess of Wales will meet Mr and Mrs Macron at RAF Northolt on Tuesday morning on behalf of the King and travel with them to Windsor.
The King and Queen will then formerly greet their guests on a Royal Dais constructed on Datchet Road in Windsor town centre.
The royals and the Macrons will then take a carriage procession through the Berkshire town and along part of the Long Walk which leads to the castle.
A ceremonial welcome will be staged in the castle’s quadrangle with Camilla, William, Catherine and Mrs Macron watching as the King and Mr Macron inspect the Guard of Honour.
Lunch will be hosted in the State Dining Room, after which the president and his wife, the King and Queen and members of the royal family will view a special exhibition of items relating to France from the Royal Collection in the Green Drawing Room.
Day one will conclude with a state banquet at Windsor Castle, where the King and the President are expected to both give speeches.
We’ll be keeping you updated throughout the day with all of the latest news and images.
Sneak preview of King Charles’ speech
King Charles is set to pledge his allegiance to France in a powerful speech delivered during the state banquet tonight. We’ve got a sneak preview of his speech, which will reflect on 1,000 years of “shared history and culture between our two peoples”.
He will begin: “For centuries our citizens have admired each other, amused each other, and imitated each other,” adding that he remains “in awe of France’s extraordinary attributes and achievements.”
The monarch will also state that this partnership remains vital in facing the many challenges of today, saying: “Our two countries face a multitude of complex threats, emanating from multiple directions. As friends and as allies, we face them together. These challenges know no borders: no fortress can protect us against them this time”.
Finally, Charles will state that Britain and France can help lead the way in confronting them, because: “Our two nations share not only values, but also the tireless determination to act on them in the world.”
We’ll keep you posted on Charles’ speech, as it happens, later…
