French State Visit to the UK, 8 -10 July 2025

[tommy100]

Hmm I noticed William using a cheat sheet as he introduced the Macrons to the welcoming party at the airport. Let's hope he learns the faces of those people pretty quickly as he takes on more duties like this.

 

[Nico]

Live coverage is on ...

 

[Elly C]

I thought President Macron’s speech to Parliament was very good. A mixture of some lighthearted comments and clearly passionate views. It was well received.

 

[iceflower]

The Prince and Princess of Wales this evening:

The Prince and Princess of Wales on Instagram: "Ready for what promises to be a wonderful State Banquet this evening in Windsor 🇫🇷🇬🇧"

14K likes, 235 comments - princeandprincessofwales on July 8, 2025: "Ready for what promises to be a wonderful State Banquet this evening in Windsor 🇫🇷🇬🇧".

www.instagram.com

https://twitter.com/x/status/1942669694542164017

 

[Kenya]

Hmm I noticed William using a cheat sheet as he introduced the Macrons to the welcoming party at the airport. Let's hope he learns the faces of those people pretty quickly as he takes on more duties like this.

Or he could be like his father, who had an aide whispering the names to him as he instructed President Macron to the individuals on the dais before they departed in the carriages.

 

[Marengo]

Wow! I saw the Bayeux tapestry several years ago. It’s truly amazing. I’m surprised/impressed they’re willing to move it.

I visited it a in 2021 or 2022, still in Bayeux. They said the museum would be renovated somewhere in the not-too-far future and the tapestry would be displayed elsewhere for the time being. IIRC they also mentioned the UK already. The website says it is closed until october 2027.

 

[Elly C]

From the BBc footage of the banquet ar Windsor I’m already missing the elegance of Buckingham Palace. The flower decorations look lovely but I find all that wood carvings in the ceiling not to my taste,

 

[Stefan]

The King and Queen with the Macrons

https://twitter.com/x/status/1942671147679817816

 

[doro]

Kate received the National Order of Merit, I don't know what rang?

 

[taogg]

The King and Queen with the Macrons

https://twitter.com/x/status/1942671147679817816

Oh, the three ladies coordinating their gowns with the French flag!
Mrs. Macron, blue
Camila, white
Catherine, red
What a lovely touch!

 

[Marengo]

From the BBc footage of the banquet ar Windsor I’m already missing the elegance of Buckingham Palace. The flower decorations look lovely but I find all that wood carvings in the ceiling not to my taste,

Funny how opinions can differ, I was just thinking that I liked it much more than BP. It has much more history than BP and is a unique place. But indeed, it does look less like the grand and glittering palaces as we have grown accustomed to after the Baroque.

I imagine the PoW will be paired with Rachida Dati again, as he seemed to be during the viewing of the items of the royal archives. She must be the most senior French lady present, apart from Mrs. Macron. Whatever her politics are, he could have a worse dining partner, she must be interesting to talk to.

 

[mybags]

William received the Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour. It's hard to tell which rank Catherine's Order of Merit is. I've blown the picture up but it's hard to tell if it's Grand Officer or Grand Cross.

 

[Alison H]

I don't know whether there's been some sort of delay, but it seems very late. I hope everyone's had a snack beforehand .

 

[tommy100]

Looks like Grand Officer to me (looks like hers is gold one side and white the other to me)

Ordre national du Mérite - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[doro]

William received the Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour. It's hard to tell which rank Catherine's Order of Merit is. I've blown the picture up but it's hard to tell if it's Grand Officer or Grand Cross.

Strange, because the majority of the European heirs often are awarded with the Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit

 

[Nico]

I imagine the PoW will be paired with Rachida Dati again, as he seemed to be during the viewing of the items of the royal archives. She must be the most senior French lady present, apart from Mrs. Macron. Whatever her politics are, he could have a worse dining partner, she must be interesting to talk to.

Fun fact : Rachida Dati was already there back in 2008 during Sarkozy's State Visit. She was Justice Minister back then.

Second time dining at Windsor. Not bad.

 

[Marengo]

Fun fact : Rachida Dati was already there back in 2008 during Sarkozy's State Visit. She was Justice Minister back then.

Second time dining at Windsor. Not bad.

She is sitting next to the King, even better

 

[tommy100]

William is sitting next to Brigitte Macron on the opposite side of the table, Camilla is the other side of her.
Catherine is the other side of the President, who is sat next to the King.

 

[Adda]

Lovely speech by Charles; such a cultured, lovely man.

 

[Marengo]

Lovely speech by Charles; such a cultured, lovely man.

Lovely indeed, and even referring to Asterix. Part of it in French as well.

 

[Adda]

Lovely indeed, and even referring to Asterix. Part of it in French as well.

Shakespeare too, bardolaters just can't stop ourselves.

How sweet is Macron's voice in English, or I don't know if it's the Windsor acoustics.
"The French had a love and appreciation for your mother QEII that was genuine". "To you she was your Queen, to us she was The Queen".
And now he's praising Charles' environmental advocacy.

Lovely.

 

[maria-olivia]

Only Queen Camilla wore the Red Legion d' Honneur .
The Others their Order of the Garter except Princesses Kate and Sophie.

 

[Nico]

Very powerful, elegant and moving speech from President Macron.

 

[Adda]

Very powerful, elegant and moving speech from President Macron.

Absolutely gorgeous speech. And I'm no Macron fan but oh my, does he deliver when it comes to speeches. It takes one good orator to not fade in the background next to Charles.

 

[doro]

Nice speeches

Looks like Grand Officer to me (looks like hers is gold one side and white the other to me)

Ordre national du Mérite - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Kate was actually awarded Grand Officer of the National Order of Merit, I read on Tiara Mania

 

[Elly C]

Such a change these days to hear two eloquent speakers. I thought both of Macron’s speeches - State Banquet and Parliament, were delivered with aplomb and the content hit the right notes . The King clearly comes into his own on such occasions

 

[Somebody]

Strange, because the majority of the European heirs often are awarded with the Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit

It's probably because the British are very frugal themselves in handing out orders - while most other monarchies are a bit more generous.

 

[Moonmaiden23]

Read the menu over at Noblesses et Royautès. Often State dinner menus give me pause, but this one sounded delicious and amazing from start to finish.

I suppose it's to be expected when the chef is French.

 

[Alison H]

In pictures: Princess of Wales, Elton John and Mick Jagger at King's state banquet for Macron

King Charles gave a toast in French to welcome Emmanuel Macron to Windsor Castle, and said the three-day trip is another chance to "celebrate a deep and enduring friendship".

news.sky.com

Several big names there. Mick Jagger and Elton John both look as if they've fallen asleep because they didn't get fed until nearly 10pm, but never mind!

 

[PrincessofEurope]

In pictures: Princess of Wales, Elton John and Mick Jagger at King's state banquet for Macron

King Charles gave a toast in French to welcome Emmanuel Macron to Windsor Castle, and said the three-day trip is another chance to "celebrate a deep and enduring friendship".

news.sky.com

Several big names there. Mick Jagger and Elton John both look as if they've fallen asleep because they didn't get fed until nearly 10pm, but never mind!

Oh wow did not realise that at state banquets you had food this late!!!!!!

Some more details on the food and drinks served

Winking Macron bonds with Kate as Jagger and Elton join banquet

A winking Emmanuel Macron chatted with the Princess of Wales after clinking glasses with the royal during last night's star-studded state banquet at Windsor Castle.

www.dailymail.co.uk