King Charles and Macron toast ‘ever closer’ UK-France ties at state banquet

King Charles stated the partnership between the UK and France wanted to develop “ever nearer” within the face of “profound challenges”, as he hosted Emmanuel Macron at a state banquet at Windsor Fort.

The King and French president dined with the Royal Household and a few 160 visitors, together with Sir Mick Jagger and Sir Elton John – with English glowing wine on the menu.

Macron and his spouse Brigitte earlier had been given a ceremonial carriage procession by way of Windsor, accompanied by the King and Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales, at the beginning of their state go to.

The three-day go to is the primary by a French president since 2008, and the primary by a European Union political chief since Brexit.

Macron instructed MPs and friends, in a speech within the Homes of Parliament, that the UK, France and Europe ought to cut back their “extreme dependence on China and the US”.

“We would like an open world. We wish to co-operate, however to not rely,” he stated.

King Charles, talking in French and English, described the deep cultural, political and historic ties between the 2 nations earlier than turning to the necessity for co-operation in going through cross-border threats.

He warned of an unsure world, with dangers of “terrorism, organised crime and cyberattacks”. And he spoke of efforts to deal with “irregular migration throughout the English Channel”.

The King joked concerning the “rapprochement” within the banquet menu, designed by chef Raymond Blanc.

“This night, we now have drunk English glowing wine made by a French champagne home. This could have been scarcely plausible to a minimum of a few of our predecessors,” he stated.

There have been additionally references to shared cultural figures – corresponding to Monet portray scenes in London and footballer Thierry Henry scoring targets for Arsenal.

In response, Macron recalled the historic ties between the 2 nations and spoke concerning the Bayeux Tapestry returning to the UK, greater than 900 years after its creation, with plans for it to be proven within the British Museum subsequent yr.

Macron stated that the ultimate elements of the tapestry being lacking was a “highly effective image”, exhibiting that “within the nice mural of Franco-British historical past, the top is but to be written – it’s as much as us to do it”.

Sitting beside President Macron was the Princess of Wales, who spoke final week concerning the challenges going through folks recovering from chemotherapy.

Her look in any respect the state go to occasions will likely be seen as one other step in her gradual return to public life.

Catherine had been absent from the final couple of massive ceremonial dinners, with the South Korean state banquet in November 2023 the final she attended.

State visits are a mixture of pageantry and ceremony and politics and commerce. There will likely be a UK-France summit at Downing Road on Thursday, hosted by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the place points corresponding to stopping unlawful migration and help for Ukraine will likely be mentioned.

Forward of the banquet in St George’s Corridor there had been an official welcome, with navy bands enjoying and an inspection of guards at Windsor Fort.

Brigitte Macron had blown kisses to the crowds because the horse-drawn carriages rattled by way of the city.

There have been well-known faces on the Windsor banquet, together with Rolling Stones singer Sir Mick Jagger, actress Dame Kristin Scott-Thomas, Sir Elton John, First Dates star Fred Sirieux and former England goalkeeper Mary Earps, who sat subsequent to Sir Keir Starmer.

Windsor Fort was used because the venue as a result of Buckingham Palace is present process renovations.

The menu for the night included a particular cocktail referred to as “l’entente”, which mixed British gin with lemon curd and French pastis, embellished with French cornflowers and English roses.

• The starter was a choice of tender summer season greens with sage, uncooked tomato and additional virgin olive oil dressing.
• The primary course was a supreme of Rhug Property hen with Norfolk asparagus and tarragon cream.
• Iced blackcurrant-soaked sponge with elderflower jelly.

The wine listing was Domaine Evremond, Traditional Cuvee, Version I, NV; Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Etienne Sauzet, 2022; Chateau Haut-Brion; 1er Grand Cru Classe Pessac-Leognan, 1996; Louis Roederer, Carte Blanche, NV.

Earlier within the day Macron addressed each Homes of Parliament, calling for the UK, France and their European neighbours to strengthen safety and cut back their dependence on China and the US.

He praised the help from France and the UK for Ukraine, saying “we are going to battle till the final minute” for a ceasefire to barter “sustainable peace”.

On the battle within the Center East, Macron referred to as for “a ceasefire in Gaza, with none situation”, and added “working collectively” to recognise a Palestinian state is the “solely path to peace”.

There would even be “tangible outcomes” from joint efforts to cease unlawful migration throughout the Channel.

The French president praised the legacy of the late Queen Elizabeth II – and on Wednesday he’ll go to her tomb in Windsor. He may even go to a horse that he gave to late Queen, as a present for her Platinum Jubilee.

Throughout the three-day go to, there will likely be a message of constructing relations between the 2 allies, in diplomacy, defence and commerce, at a time of uncertainty in worldwide relations.

The UK authorities has spoken of desirous to “reset” post-Brexit relations with European neighbours with the French state go to a part of that course of.