King Charles gives warm welcome to Macron's state visit in Windsor

Invited to Windsor Castle, the French President was received with all the honors of royal pomp, for the first stage of his visit, which will then take a more political turn.

He and King Charles have already met several times in recent years and their relationship is warm. They demonstrated this again on Tuesday, with natural and friendly exchanges despite meticulously regulated protocol.

At their side, their wives - Bridget, wearing a white dress, and Queen Camilla in a bright green outfit - appeared very comfortable and exchanged a rather informal kiss, in what seems to have become a habit for the two women who share a love of literature.

Around noon, after listening to the Marseillaise, the two couples took their places in royal carriages: the king and Emmanuel Macron in one, their wives in the other.

Behind them, Prince William and Princess Kate in Dior outfits follow, accompanied by French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati and Minister of Defense Sébastien Lecornu.

The scene had a feeling of déjà vu for the visibly delighted minister, who had also accompanied Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni in 2008.

A large crowd of Windsor residents and tourists gathered behind security barriers as they passed.

"they get along well"

"It's much better than London. It's a beautiful place to have a state visit," Suzanne Gardener, a 64-year-old retiree who came with her husband to watch the procession pass, told AFP.

The town, located about thirty kilometers west of London, and its castle, where the late Queen Elizabeth II is buried, were preferred to Buckingham Palace in London, which is currently undergoing renovations.

"I hope (President Macron) liked it and his wife too" and "I think they get along well" with the king and queen, adds Suzanne Gardener.

Arriving in the castle courtyard, a Marseillaise, followed by a God Save The King, resounds, played by a regiment of Scots Guards, with their famous bearskin hats.

Then the King, Queen, the Macrons, Prince William, and Princess Kate disembark from their carriages. Charles III, Camilla, and the Macrons take up positions under the tent of honor, with the Prince and Princess right next to them.

After a royal salute, the French president and the king review the troops, while planes fly noisily over the castle, located not far from Heathrow Airport.

red eye

The king cannot hide an eye reddened by a burst blood vessel the day before, according to Buckingham Palace.

As the two leaders prepare to join their wives, the French president narrowly avoids a breach of protocol, almost grabbing the king by the shoulder.

Meanwhile, Brigitte and Camilla are chatting, smiling, visibly at ease.

The three couples then had lunch in Windsor, before a state banquet in the evening, with around 150 guests.

Kate, who is recovering from cancer, has not been officially confirmed by the palace to attend the dinner.

Dressed in a Dior jacket and dress set in sand rose, and a matching hat, the princess accompanied Prince William on Tuesday morning to welcome the Macron couple as they got off the plane.