French president Emmanuel Macron is preparing to address MPs in Parliament after receiving a warm welcome from the King and Queen on the first day of his three-day state visit to the UK.
Amid pomp and pagentry, the red carpet was rolled out for the Mr Macron and his wife, Brigitte, in Windsor, their greeting aimed at symbolising the return of closer ties between the two countries.
Mr Macron dolled out Gallic charm by taking Camilla’s hand and air kissing it, having earlier greeted the Princess of Wales at RAF Northolt with the same gesture.
The King had a burst blood vessel in his right eye, said to have developed overnight and said to be unrelated to any other health conditions.
Nearly 400 military personnel from the Army, RAF and Royal Navy lined Windsor High Street along the ceremonial route and a 41-gun salute sounded in Mr Macron’s honour.
The King is expected to emphasise “the multitude of complex threats” both countries face in a speech at a state dinner at Windsor Castle later, while Macron posted on social media that “there is so much we can build together”.
The two countries jointly announced that French nuclear energy utility EDF would invest £1.1 billion in a project to build a nuclear power station in eastern England.
Pomp, pageantry and politesse greet French president
Macrons view royal collection
The King and Queen showed Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte items in the Royal Collection exhibition in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle.
King to tell Macron: No fortress can shield us from threats
The King will stress the partnership between France and the UK in the face of a “multitude of complex threats” at a state banquet in honour of French president Emmanuel Macron tonight.
“As friends and as allies, we face them together,” he will declare.
At a glittering banquet in Windsor Castle, the monarch will deliver a speech highlighting how “these challenges know no borders: no fortress can protect us against them this time”.
But he will tell Mr Macron that Britain and France can help lead the way in confronting threats relating to defence, technology and climate change, saying: “Our two nations share not only values, but also the tireless determination to act on them in the world.”
Brigitte Macron: The French president’s older wife
In pictures: The Macrons’ first state visit
UK-France relationship as strong as ever, PM says
Britain’s relationship with France is as strong as it’s ever been, the prime minister’s official spokesperson has said, adding that he expected to make “good progress” during Emmanuel Macron’s time in the UK this week.
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to use this week’s summit to try to get a ‘one-in-one-out’ deal on migration over the line, amid reports the agreement was close to collapse.
Asked whether there had been any progress on such an agreement, the spokesperson said: “Our joint work with the French is as strong as its ever been.
“You’ve seen their operational response along the northern coast intensifying in recent weeks.
“We continually talk and remain in constant contact on how our joint action can go further in ending the misery these gangs are inflicting.”
Watch | Macron meets King Charles and Queen Camilla during state visit to Britain
King and Macron share warm moment amid pomp-filled Windsor welcome
The carriage procession swept into Windsor Castle’s quadrangle where an array of military units were in position waiting to take part in the ceremonial welcome.
Central was the guard of honour formed by two of the British Army’s oldest regiments: Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards and F Company Scots Guards with the state colours of the regiments.
President Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte were joined by the King and Queen on a dais, with the Prince and Princess of Wales stood nearby.
As the president and King stood waiting for their wives to join them, they shared a few words and Mr Macron warmly touched the King’s back.
The pomp and pageantry featured the Military Knights of Windsor by the castle’s sovereign’s entrance, a detachment of the Household Cavalry nearby and outside the equerries’ entrance was the King’s Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard.
King experiences burst blood vessel in eye
The King has suffered a burst blood vessel in his right eye.
The incident, which occurred overnight, is said to be unrelated to any of Charles’ existing health conditions.
Burst blood vessels in the eye, known medically as subconjunctival haemorrhages, are usually harmless and often resolve on their own without treatment.
Charles has experienced a difficult couple of years for his health, particularly after his cancer diagnosis.
Less than a year after his coronation, the King was diagnosed with an undisclosed cancer, which was found while he was undergoing treatment for a separate issue relating to an enlarged prostate.
Since the news broke, the King has been undergoing treatment for over a year while he has gradually built up a return to public duties.
