Prince Charles and Camilla host President Macron as they return to London during lockdown - best photos


The royal couple have returned to Clarence House


prince charles camilla macron
Sharnaz Shahid
Sharnaz ShahidDeputy Online Editor
Updated: June 18, 2020
Emmanuel Macron, Charles, Prince of Wales, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, converse outside a building.© Photo: PA

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to the UK. The French politician is visiting London to commemorate the 80th anniversary of his predecessor Charles de Gaulle's "Appel" - his BBC broadcast to occupied France after the Nazi invasion in 1940.

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On behalf of Her Majesty's Government, President Macron was received by the royal couple at Clarence House on Thursday afternoon, before attending a ceremonial event and bilateral talks in Number 10. The engagement comes shortly after Charles and Camilla have spent almost three months at Birkhall in Scotland, where the Prince recovered from COVID-19 after contracting the virus in March, suffering with mild symptoms.

Click through the gallery to see more pictures from the engagement….

Emmanuel Macron and Charles, Prince of Wales, converse outside a building with columns and wet ground.© Photo: Getty Images

The President last visited London in December 2019 for the NATO summit. At the time, he was greeted by Prince Charles and Camilla at Buckingham Palace where they attended a reception marking the 70th Anniversary of NATO, hosted by the Queen on 3 December 2019. The President and His Royal Highness also attended the D-Day 75 commemorations in Portsmouth in June 2019.

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Charles, Prince of Wales, in a blue suit with medals, stands with a woman in a blue dress holding an umbrella, talking to a man in a black suit.© Photo: PA

The royal couple with President Macron at Clarence House with a Guard of Honour found by Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards, accompanied by the Band of the Coldstream Guards.

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Scroll through for more pictures...

Charles, Prince of Wales and Emmanuel Macron walk with umbrellas past guards in red uniforms.© Photo: PA

After the national anthems of France and the UK were played Guard Commander, Major Piers Gambarini, invited Mr Macron to inspect the servicemen and he was accompanied by Charles.

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Emmanuel Macron and Charles, Prince of Wales stand under umbrellas outside a building.© Photo: PA

The two men sheltered under umbrellas as the rain which had deluged London for much of the day continued to fall.

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Emmanuel Macron places a wreath at a memorial, wearing a dark suit.© Photo: PA

The President and the royals then attended attend a ceremony at Carlton Gardens where the French politician lay a wreath at the statues of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.

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President Macron lay a wreath at the Charles de Gaulle statue during his visit to the UK.

Emmanuel Macron walks past a statue, with a military officer standing at attention nearby.© Photo: PA

The French president seen near the statue of Charles de Gaulle.

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Charles, Prince of Wales, in a blue suit, places a wreath on a memorial table, with a military officer standing behind him.

Prince Charles also put down a wreath by the statue.

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Group of people in formal attire standing before a statue, paying respects.© Photo: PA

The wreath-laying was then followed by a minute's silence.

Emmanuel Macron and Charles, Prince of Wales, walk with military personnel; a bagpiper leads.© Photo: PA

The Prince of Wales chatting with the French president at the ceremony at Carlton Gardens in London.

Charles, Prince of Wales, gestures while talking to Emmanuel Macron, both in suits, with military personnel in the background.

The two men appeared to be in great spirits as they chatted away during the visit.

Charles, Prince of Wales, in a blue suit with medals, walks with a woman in a blue dress and hat holding an umbrella.© Photo: Getty Images

Mr Macron had been welcomed to Britain for his brief visit by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.

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Charles, Prince of Wales, stands at a podium with a woman in a hat and a man in a suit.© Photo: PA

Prince Charles and President Macron delivered speeches following the wreath laying ceremony.

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Charles, Prince of Wales and Emmanuel Macron stand at podiums with flags behind them.© Photo: PA

The wartime leader of the Free French said: "I call upon all French servicemen of the land, sea, and air forces; I call upon French engineers and skilled armaments workers who are on British soil, or have the means of getting here, to come and join me."

Emmanuel Macron stands at a podium with microphones, wearing a dark suit and tie, addressing an audience.© Photo: PA

During his address, a pivotal moment in his country's history, he added: "I call upon all Frenchmen who want to remain free to listen to my voice and follow me."

Emmanuel Macron and Charles, Prince of Wales, stand at podiums with microphones, addressing an audience.© Photo: Getty Images

Behind the president was the framed insignia of France's highest decoration,the Legion d'Honneur, awarded to London for its support of France during the Second World War.

Three individuals stand on a stage with British and French flags. One man in a suit stands facing them.© Photo: PA

The Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles stood alongside the French President as he delivered a speech, watched by Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab.

Charles, Prince of Wales, Emmanuel Macron, and Sadiq Khan stand at podiums with British and French flags.© Photo: Getty Images

London Mayor Sadiq Khan seen exchanging greetings after the ceremony to present the Legion d'Honneur France's highest distinction to London for services during WW2.

Emmanuel Macron and Charles, Prince of Wales, greet a woman in a blue dress and hat.© Photo: PA

Emmanuel Macron then said goodbye with a namaste gesture to the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles after the ceremony at Carlton Gardens.

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