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

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.

GALLERY: 7 heartwarming photos of royal dads kissing their children

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….

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.

MORE: 7 pictures which prove the Countess of Wessex has the closest bond with mother-in-law the Queen

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.

READ: 8 surprising facts about royal tours

Scroll through for more pictures...

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.

GALLERY: 7 royal couples who gave up their titles for love

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

MORE: Prince Charles reveals surprising full view of home office at Birkhall

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.

MORE: A closer look at Princess Anne's special bond with her father Prince Philip

WATCH: Prince Charles speaks French to President Macron

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

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

MORE: Inside Prince Charles and Camilla's official London residence, Clarence House

Prince Charles also put down a wreath by the statue.

MORE: Who are Prince William's most trusted friends?

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

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

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

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

MORE: Duchess Camilla stuns in lace dress and Chanel heels for French presidential visit

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

MORE: Inside Prince Charles and Camilla's Scottish home, Birkhall

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."

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."

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.

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

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

Make sure you never miss a ROYAL story! Sign up to our newsletter to get all of our celebrity, royal and lifestyle news delivered directly to your inbox.