King to tell Macron: ‘No borders' between us
King Charles will speak of the vital partnership between the two countries in the face of challenges 'emanating from multiple directions', faced together as 'friends and allies'.
He will make a speech at a state banquet on Tuesday night, ahead of a political summit between Sir Keir Starmer and Mr Macron later this week aimed at tackling the small boats crisis.
Speaking at Windsor Castle, the King will say that the continued partnership between the UK and France remains vital in facing modern challenges, as 'our two countries face a multitude of complex threats, emanating from multiple directions'.
'As friends and as allies, we face them together,' he will say.
'These challenges know no borders: no fortress can protect us against them this time.'
He will add: 'Our two nations share not only values, but also the tireless determination to act on them in the world.'
The King, who has long hoped to act as a peacemaker in global affairs, is understood to be referring to multiple issues where the shared values of Britain and France are under threat, including defence, technology and climate change. He is not expected to make specific reference to any current political matter.
The speech will come as Sir Keir Starmer battles to save a one-in, one-out migrant returns deal with France that hopes to unveil with the French president later this week.
The Prime Minister and Mr Macron have been working on a deal in which France would take back migrants who have illegally crossed the Channel in small boats in return for the UK accepting a similar number of legal asylum seekers from France.
It had been intended as a centrepiece of the Anglo-French summit on Thursday, at which new strategies to tackle small boat migrants, who have crossed the Channel in record numbers this year, will be announced.
The 'one-in, one-out' agreement is an attempt to break the business model of the people smuggling gangs by showing that migrants will be returned to France once they reach UK shores.
Deal still 'in the balance'
But government sources said on Monday night that the deal was 'complex' and 'in the balance', with negotiations still ongoing.
The Prime Minister and president are also expected to discuss joint work on civil nuclear projects and a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire.
The King, who is politically neutral, will not be involved in any such discussions and will host the Macrons separately to their conversations with Sir Keir and other politicians.
His banquet speech will instead see him embark on a charm offensive for his French guests, speaking warmly of his visits across the Channel.
Mr Macron will meet Sir Keir, Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, and Sir Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, in a series of political talks during the state visit.
He will address MPs and peers in the Palace of Westminster's Royal Gallery and, on Thursday, join a UK-France Summit at Downing Street.
The King will host Mr Macron and his wife, Brigitte, at Windsor Castle, welcoming them at midday on Tuesday with a carriage ride through the town with the Prince and Princess of Wales.
In the evening, the French head of state will be guest of honour at the state banquet at St George's Hall at the castle, in which the full soft power of British diplomacy will be on display.
At the dinner, which will include British and French cuisine, and music and drink from both cultures, the King will touch on the serious issues facing both governments.
In his speech, with the Queen by his side, he will reflect on 1,000 years of 'shared history and culture between our two peoples', including the many historic personal connections with the Royal family.
He will say that 'for centuries our citizens have admired each other, amused each other, and imitated each other', telling how he remains 'in awe of France's extraordinary attributes and achievements'.
First state visit of King's reign
It will be the first state visit hosted at Windsor Castle in more than a decade and the first of the King's reign.
The last was in 2014, when president Michael D Higgins and his wife made the first Irish state visit to Britain.
Since then, state visits have been held at Buckingham Palace, which is now partially closed for refurbishment and temporarily unsuitable for hosting duties.
Mr Macron, like heads of state before him, will stay overnight in one of the private apartments at Windsor Castle with his wife.
The state banquet will see the King and Mr Macron both deliver speeches, which customarily praise their respective countries and speak of both the past relationship and the future.
The Princess of Wales will take part in some of the visit, including welcoming the Macrons at RAF Northolt on Tuesday morning on behalf of the King and travelling with them to Windsor.
There, the King and Queen will formally greet their guests on a royal dais constructed in Windsor town centre, with the castle in the backdrop as gun salutes sound in nearby Home Park.
A ceremonial welcome will be staged in the castle's quadrangle with the Queen, Prince and Princess of Wales and Mrs Macron watching as the King and Mr Macron inspect the Guard of Honour.
The wider Royal family are expected to join them for lunch in the State Dining Room before they view a special exhibition of items relating to France from the Royal Collection in the Green Drawing Room.
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