French President Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron have touched down for the first day of their state visit at RAF Northolt, where they were immediately received by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The royal couple stepped into their statesmanlike role with ease as they greeted the French leader and his wife after they disembarked from their plane. William looked smart in a stylish suit for the meeting, while Kate was gorgeous in a beautiful 30 Montaigne Rose Des Vents Bar Jacket from Christian Dior's 2024 collection. She accessorised with a pearl necklace that belonged to the late Queen and earrings once worn by the late Princess Diana.
The entourage then travelled down to Windsor, to meet King Charles and Queen Camilla. Charles sustained a burst blood vessel in his eye before meeting the visiting couple at the Royal Dais, Datchet Road.
© POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesAlso on the agenda for Tuesday are an inspection of the Guard of Honour, which will be conducted by Charles and Macron, alongside a viewing of the military rank before enjoying a march past. There was also a carriage ride through the town to Windsor Castle.
This was followed by a lunch inside Windsor Castle before the French couple were invited to view items in the Royal Collection that have a link to their homeland.
© Getty ImagesMacron and his wife will then carry out solo engagements in London, including a visit to the Grave of the Unknown Warrior and a trip to the House of Parliament, where Mr Macron will address members of both houses.
The main highlight of the first day will be a State Banquet hosted in the evening. During the meal, both Charles and Macron will address guests.
See below for the best photos from the day…
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© Getty ImagesArrival
Kate and William met the French president and his wife as they arrived in RAF Northolt. Kate looked magical in a Christian Dior outfit, a nod to their guests.
2/22
© Getty ImagesMore outfit details
Kate wore a stylish pair of earrings from William's late mother, Princess Diana. Her pearl necklace was previously worn by the late Queen.
3/22
© Getty ImagesGreeting the Macrons
As he greeted the royal couple, Macron warmly shook his hand and firmly gripped his arm as they chatted. When it came to the Princess, he took her hand and blew an air kiss towards it.
4/22
© POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesAir kiss
Macron hovered over Kate's hand for the air kiss.
5/22
© Getty ImagesThe King's eye
Despite a burst blood vessel in his eye, Charles soldiered on for the visit.
6/22
© Getty ImagesA close-up
Look away if you're squeamish! The veseel burst in the monarch's right eye (left in the picture).
7/22
© Getty ImagesGorgeous in green
Camilla looked radiant for the day, wearing a bright emerald green chiffon dress by Anna Valentine and a hat by Philip Treacy. She also added a brooch worn by the late Queen.
8/22
© Getty ImagesThe Macrons arrive
While Macron only gave Kate an air kiss, Charles kissed Brigitte on the hand when he met the French pair.
9/22
© Getty ImagesCarriage ride
After the national anthems were played, Charles and Macron were transported around Windsor in the State Landau.
The carriage is specifically designed for major ceremonial services.
10/22
© Getty ImagesCamilla and Brigitte
While Charles and Macron rode in the first carriage, Camilla and Brigitte followed them in the second.
11/22
© Getty ImagesThe third carriage
William and Kate were in the third carriage and the royal couple were joined by Sebastien Lecornu and Rachida Dati, France's Armed Forces and Culture Ministers respectively.
12/22
© Getty ImagesInspection time
A booming 41-gun Royal Salute thundered simultaneously from two locations — historic Windsor Castle and the Tower of London — announcing President Macon's arrival.
At Windsor Castle's Quadrangle, the Guard of Honour, formed by the prestigious Grenadier and Scots Guards, stood in perfect formation, ready for inspection.
13/22
© Getty ImagesTroop inspection
Adding a touch of diplomatic flair, Major Jake Sayers of the Grenadier Guards extended a personal invitation to the President, speaking to him in fluent French, to inspect the troops.
14/22
© Samir Hussein/WireImageCeremonial welcome
More than 950 personnel from the British Armed Forces, including the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, and Royal Air Force, took part in the ceremony, supported by 70 horses.
The parade was led by Major General James Bowder, General Officer Commanding the Household Division.
15/22
© GettyTender embrace
The Princess of Wales was pictured placing a tender arm around her husband William's back in a rare display of affection. How sweet!
16/22
© Getty ImagesGallant Charles
King Charles was pictured kissing Mme Macron's hand in a formal gesture of welcome.
Meanwhile, in a display of military cooperation, paratroopers from France’s 11e Brigade Parachutiste conducted joint low-level parachute jumps with the UK’s 16 Air Assault Brigade over RAF Brize Norton.
The exercise highlighted the close operational relationship between the two countries under the Combined Joint Expeditionary Force, established in 2013.
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© Getty ImagesRoyal collection
Charles, Camilla and Macrons were shown objects in the Royal Collection that have French links following lunch.
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© Getty ImagesDuchess of Edinburgh's surprise appearance
The Duchess of Edinburgh made a surprise appearance at the event where she was seen viewing some of the items.
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© Getty ImagesRoyal couples out and about
Charles and Camilla and William and Kate weren't the only couples at the event, as Sophie was joined by her husband, Prince Edward.
20/22
© Getty ImagesThe King's joke
The King joked that his guests should have a glass of vintage Cognac as he and the Queen showed President Macron and his wife Brigitte a display of items from the Royal Collection.
They included a bottle of Louis XIII Cognac in a Baccarat Cristal decanter, as served to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth during the July 1938 State Visit, and later to Queen Elizabeth II in April 1957.
Caroline de Guitaut, Surveyor of The King's Works of Art, said afterwards: "The Cognac was a talking point.
"There was suggestion they should have a glass. I think this came from the King."
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© Getty ImagesViewing Royal Collection items
After enjoying a private lunch in the Castle's State Dining Room, their Majesties escorted their guests into the Green Drawing Room, where they viewed treasures including a 1632 Second Folio of 36 Shakespeare plays, complete with notes in the margin written by Charles I.
"The comments of Charles I?" asked Mr Macron, clearly intrigued. He also appeared fascinated by a travelling library of English poetry sent by an exiled Napoleon to his son Napoleon Francois.
"Wow", said Madame Macron as she was shown three miniature books from Queen Mary’s Dolls House at the Castle, including one written by Queen Camilla herself.
"The Dolls House has a lot of authors, they all wrote miniature books," explained the Queen.
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© Getty ImagesWilliam and Kate join the viewing
The Prince and Princess of Wales followed behind with French Minister for Culture Rachida Dati.
"Everything you'll see in here is from the archives," said William.
"Such beautiful handwriting," said Kate of the Shakespeare folio.
"The French have very beautiful writing as well," she added.
William put a hand on his wife's back as they moved through the room.
The visitors were particularly taken by an 18th century gold and diamond snuff box once owned by Marie Antoinette, wife of King Louis XVI of France and a selection of Sevres porcelain.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and Duke of Gloucester also joined guests viewing the display.
