Kate on Macron's official visit
The much-anticipated state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte to the UK is set to take place from the 8th to the 10th of July, 2025. This historic event marks the first such state visit hosted at Windsor Castle instead of Buckingham Palace in over a decade.
**Day One (July 8, 2025):**
The visit commences with a warm welcome at RAF Northolt in northwest London, where Prince William and Princess Kate will greet the President and First Lady. Accompanied by the royal couple, the Macrons will then travel by carriage to Windsor. Upon their arrival, they will be formally welcomed by King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Datchet Road, Windsor. Gun salutes will be fired in Windsor and at the Tower of London as part of the ceremonial honors.
The royal family and the Macrons will then take part in a ceremonial carriage procession through Windsor, culminating at Windsor Castle. Here, King Charles and President Macron will inspect a Guard of Honour, followed by a lunch hosted in the State Dining Room. A special exhibition of French-related items from the Royal Collection will be displayed afterward.
In the afternoon, President Macron and his wife will travel to London for a visit to Westminster Abbey to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, and a speech at the Palace of Westminster. The day concludes with a formal State Banquet hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle in honor of President Macron and Madame Macron.
**Day Two (July 9, 2025):**
Day two sees King Charles giving President Macron a guided tour focusing on biodiversity in the castle gardens. The Macrons will then head to London to have lunch with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will host a banquet for the Macrons at the Guildhall in the City of London in the evening.
**Roles of Princess Kate and Prince William:**
Prince William and Princess Kate play a major role in welcoming the French President and First Lady, personally greeting them at RAF Northolt and travelling with them to Windsor. They participate actively in the carriage procession and ceremonial events alongside King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the visiting dignitaries, representing the royal family in the public and ceremonial aspects throughout the visit.
This visit emphasizes the significance of Windsor Castle during Buckingham Palace's renovation and showcases the close ties between the UK and France with a blend of tradition and diplomacy.
Notably, Princess Kate has recently spoken about her cancer recovery, describing it as a "rollercoaster ride," and the time after therapy also brings challenges, according to her. Whether she will attend the state banquet is still uncertain.
The state visit does not include a carriage ride through Windsor or stops in London's Westminster Abbey and at the British Parliament, unlike the visit of the royal couple and the Macrons. The state visit serves as a blueprint for the planned visit of US President Donald Trump, scheduled for September.
This visit by the French President and his wife is the first by a French head of state since Nicolas Sarkozy's visit to Elizabeth II in 2008. The bilateral summit between President Macron and Prime Minister Starmer is planned for the last day of the state visit.
The first sentence could be: "Discussions about the bilateral relationship between the UK and France, particularly politics and general news, will likely be a significant focus during the state visit of President Macron and his wife."
The second sentence could be: "Following their meeting with King Charles and Queen Camilla, President Macron and his wife will travel to Westminster Abbey for a significant moment in UK-France relations, where President Macron will give a speech at the Palace of Westminster."
