French President Emmanuel Macron kisses the Princess of Wales’ hand as three-day state visit begins
The Prince and Princess of Wales have greeted French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte on behalf of the King as their state visit to the UK got under way.
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William and Kate travelled to RAF Northolt in west London to accompany the Macrons by car to Windsor, ready for a carriage ride through the Berkshire town and a full ceremonial welcome at the castle.
The heir to the throne and princess waited at the RAF station following the arrival of the president's plane.
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A carpet lining party, found by The King's Colour Squadron, Royal Air Force, was in position on the airport apron in the July sunshine.
As the doors of the plane opened, the president made his way down the steps first onto the red carpet followed by the first lady, where they were met by the ambassador of the French Republic, Helene Duchene.
Mr and Mrs Macron were then welcomed by future king and queen, William and Kate.
The president warmly shook the prince's hand and held onto his arm as they chatted.
Mr Macron then took the princess's hand and delivered a gallant air kiss towards it.
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.
The King and Emmanuel Macron then travelled together through Windsor in the 1902 State Landau, followed by the Queen and Brigitte Macron in the Semi-State Landau.
The processional route, lined through the town by the armed forces, took in Datchet Road, Thames Street High Street, Park Street, Cambridge Gate, George IV Gateway to the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle.
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.
Brigitte Macron greeted the Queen with “la bise” – the customary French greeting of a double cheek air kiss.
The royal party and their guests stood still for the French national anthem.
After the royal salute was given by the soldiers on parade and the French national anthem was played, Major Jake Sayers, captain of the guard of honour, spoke in French to President 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 the King as he walked passed the guardsmen formed in two lines on the quadrangle of Windsor Castle, as the Massed Band of the Grenadier Guards and the Scots Guards played L’Entente Cordiale.
After the inspection, the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, who had earlier fired a 41-gun salute when President Macron arrived in Windsor, marched past the guests.
Also parading past the royal party was the Captain’s Escort of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, which had accompanied the carriage procession through Windsor town centre, followed by the guard of honour.
Security was heightened with an enhanced police presence and teams inspecting the area around the castle and checking locations such as flower planters.
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead said: "We are working closely with Thames Valley Police, the Crown Estate and other key partners, to minimise disruption to those that live and work in, or plan to visit Windsor".
The state visit, hosted by the King and Queen, 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.
It is also the first French state visit to the UK in 17 years since that of the now disgraced former French president Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008.
