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Observer
08-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
France's Macron kicks off 'historic' UK state visit
WINDSOR: French President Emmanuel Macron received a warm and pomp-filled welcome on Tuesday from King Charles III as he began a three-day state visit to Britain, the first by an EU head of state since Brexit. Macron, accompanied by his wife Brigitte, hailed an "important moment for our two nations" after landing and heading straight for Windsor, west of London, to meet the British monarch. "Together, we will address the major challenges of our time: security, defence, nuclear energy, space, innovation, artificial intelligence, migration, and culture," he posted on X. The French leader added that Paris and London were seeking to "deepen our cooperation in a concrete, effective, and lasting way". The first state visit by an EU head of state since the UK's acrimonious 2020 departure from the European Union, it is also the first by a French president since Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008. During his visit, Macron will hold several meetings with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. After taking power in 2024, the British leader has been making good on his pledge to reset relations with European capitals following years of Brexit-fuelled tensions. Their discussions are expected to focus on aid to war-torn Ukraine and bolstering defence spending, as well as joint efforts to stop migrants from crossing the Channel in small boats — a potent political issue in Britain. Calling the visit "historic", Starmer's office said it would showcase "the breadth of the existing relationship" between Britain and France. Macron and his wife Brigitte were greeted off the presidential plane on Tuesday at an air base northwest of London by heir-to-the-throne Prince William and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales. In a stylistic nod to her guests, the princess wore a Christian Dior jacket. A short time later Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, warmly welcomed the entourage to Windsor, amid a full display of British pomp and pageantry. The Francophile king, who is believed to enjoy a warm rapport with Macron, could be seen chatting with him enthusiastically during their early interactions. Charles made a 2023 state visit to France, one of his first after ascending the throne and widely regarded as a success. After a 41-gun salute sounded from nearby Home Park and a royal carriage procession through the town, which was decked out in French Tricolores and British Union flags, the group entered the castle for lunch. They returned there later for a state banquet in the vast medieval St George's Hall, when in a speech Charles is set to laud the vital partnership between France and the UK amid a "multitude of complex threats". "As friends and as allies, we face them together," he will say, according to Buckingham Palace. Before that, Macron will follow in the footsteps of predecessors Charles de Gaulle and Francois Mitterrand by addressing lawmakers in the UK parliament. The visit also aims to boost trade and business ties, with Paris and London announcing on Tuesday that French energy giant EDF will have a 12.5-stake in new British nuclear power plant Sizewell C. On Wednesday, Macron will have lunch with Starmer and the two leaders will on Thursday co-host the 37th Franco-British Summit, where they are set to discuss opportunities to strengthen defence ties. Britain and France are spearheading talks amongst a 30-nation coalition on how to support a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, including potentially deploying peacekeeping forces. The two leaders will dial in to a meeting of the coalition on Thursday "to discuss stepping up support for Ukraine and further increasing pressure on Russia", Starmer's office confirmed on Monday. They will speak to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, according to the French presidency. Irregular migration is also set to feature in talks between Macron and Starmer. The British leader is under intense pressure to curb cross-Channel arrivals, as Eurosceptic Nigel Farage's hard-right Reform UK party uses the issue to fuel its rise. London has for years pressed Paris to do more to halt the boats leaving from northern French beaches, welcoming footage last Friday showing French police stopping one such boat from departing. — AFP
Bangkok Post
08-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
France's Macron begins ‘historic' UK state visit
WINDSOR, England - French President Emmanuel Macron received a warm and pomp-filled welcome on Tuesday from King Charles III as he began a three-day state visit to Britain, the first by an EU head of state since Brexit. Macron, accompanied by his wife Brigitte, hailed an 'important moment for our two nations' after landing and heading straight for Windsor, west of London, to meet the British monarch. 'Together, we will address the major challenges of our time: security, defence, nuclear energy, space, innovation, artificial intelligence, migration, and culture,' he posted on X. The French leader added that Paris and London were seeking to 'deepen our cooperation in a concrete, effective, and lasting way'. The first state visit by an EU head of state since the UK's acrimonious 2020 departure from the European Union, it is also the first by a French president since Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008. During his visit, Macron will hold several meetings with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. After taking power in 2024, the British leader has been making good on his pledge to reset relations with European capitals following years of Brexit-fuelled tensions. Their discussions are expected to focus on aid to war-torn Ukraine and bolstering defence spending, as well as joint efforts to stop migrants from crossing the Channel in small boats — a potent political issue in Britain. Calling the visit 'historic', Starmer's office said it would showcase 'the breadth of the existing relationship' between Britain and France. Windsor pomp Macron and his wife Brigitte were greeted off the presidential plane Tuesday at an air base northwest of London by heir-to-the-throne Prince William and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales. In a stylistic nod to her guests, the princess wore a Christian Dior jacket. A short time later Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, warmly welcomed the entourage to Windsor, amid a full display of British pomp and pageantry. The Francophile king, who is believed to enjoy a warm rapport with Macron, could be seen chatting with him enthusiastically during their early interactions. Charles made a 2023 state visit to France, one of his first after ascending the throne and widely regarded as a success. After a 41-gun salute sounded from nearby Home Park and a royal carriage procession through the town, which was decked out in French Tricolores and British Union flags, the group entered the castle for lunch. They will return there later for a state banquet in the vast medieval St George's Hall, when in a speech Charles is set to laud the vital partnership between France and the UK amid a 'multitude of complex threats'. 'As friends and as allies, we face them together,' he will say, according to Buckingham Palace. Before that, Macron will follow in the footsteps of predecessors Charles de Gaulle and Francois Mitterrand by addressing lawmakers in the UK parliament. The visit also aims to boost trade and business ties, with Paris and London announcing Tuesday that French energy giant EDF will have a 12.5-stake in new British nuclear power plant Sizewell C. 'Support for Ukraine' On Wednesday, Macron will have lunch with Starmer and the two leaders will on Thursday co-host the 37th Franco-British Summit, where they are set to discuss opportunities to strengthen defence ties. Britain and France are spearheading talks amongst a 30-nation coalition on how to support a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, including potentially deploying peacekeeping forces. The two leaders will dial in to a meeting of the coalition on Thursday 'to discuss stepping up support for Ukraine and further increasing pressure on Russia', Starmer's office confirmed on Monday. They will speak to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, according to the French presidency. Irregular migration is also set to feature in talks between Macron and Starmer. The British leader is under intense pressure to curb cross-Channel arrivals, as Eurosceptic Nigel Farage's hard-right Reform UK party uses the issue to fuel its rise. London has for years pressed Paris to do more to halt the boats leaving from northern French beaches, welcoming footage last Friday showing French police stopping one such boat from departing. Meanwhile, speculation is rife that Macron will use the visit to announce an update on his previous offer to loan the Bayeux Tapestry to Britain. It emerged in 2018 that he had agreed to loan the embroidery, which depicts the 1066 Norman conquest of England, but the move has since stalled. The UK government said Monday that it continued to 'work closely with our counterparts in France on its planned loan'.
Int'l Business Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
France's Macron Kicks Off 'Historic' UK State Visit
French President Emmanuel Macron received a warm and pomp-filled welcome Tuesday from King Charles III as he began a three-day state visit to Britain, the first by an EU head of state since Brexit. Macron, accompanied by his wife Brigitte, hailed an "important moment for our two nations" after landing and heading straight for Windsor, west of London, to meet the British monarch. "Together, we will address the major challenges of our time: security, defence, nuclear energy, space, innovation, artificial intelligence, migration, and culture," he posted on X. The French leader added that Paris and London were seeking to "deepen our cooperation in a concrete, effective, and lasting way". The first state visit by an EU head of state since the UK's acrimonious 2020 departure from the European Union, it is also the first by a French president since Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008. During his visit, Macron will hold several meetings with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. After taking power in 2024, the British leader has been making good on his pledge to reset relations with European capitals following years of Brexit-fuelled tensions. Their discussions are expected to focus on aid to war-torn Ukraine and bolstering defence spending, as well as joint efforts to stop migrants from crossing the Channel in small boats -- a potent political issue in Britain. Calling the visit "historic", Starmer's office said it would showcase "the breadth of the existing relationship" between Britain and France. Macron and his wife Brigitte were greeted off the presidential plane Tuesday at an air base northwest of London by heir-to-the-throne Prince William and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales. In a stylistic nod to her guests, the princess wore a Christian Dior jacket. A short time later Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, warmly welcomed the entourage to Windsor, amid a full display of British pomp and pageantry. The Francophile king, who is believed to enjoy a warm rapport with Macron, could be seen chatting with him enthusiastically during their early interactions. Charles made a 2023 state visit to France, one of his first after ascending the throne and widely regarded as a success. After a 41-gun salute sounded from nearby Home Park and a royal carriage procession through the town, which was decked out in French Tricolores and British Union flags, the group entered the castle for lunch. They will return there later for a state banquet in the vast medieval St George's Hall, when in a speech Charles is set to laud the vital partnership between France and the UK amid a "multitude of complex threats". "As friends and as allies, we face them together," he will say, according to Buckingham Palace. Before that, Macron will follow in the footsteps of predecessors Charles de Gaulle and Francois Mitterrand by addressing lawmakers in the UK parliament. The visit also aims to boost trade and business ties, with Paris and London announcing Tuesday that French energy giant EDF will have a 12.5-stake in new British nuclear power plant Sizewell C. On Wednesday, Macron will have lunch with Starmer and the two leaders will on Thursday co-host the 37th Franco-British Summit, where they are set to discuss opportunities to strengthen defence ties. Britain and France are spearheading talks amongst a 30-nation coalition on how to support a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, including potentially deploying peacekeeping forces. The two leaders will dial in to a meeting of the coalition on Thursday "to discuss stepping up support for Ukraine and further increasing pressure on Russia", Starmer's office confirmed on Monday. They will speak to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, according to the French presidency. Irregular migration is also set to feature in talks between Macron and Starmer. The British leader is under intense pressure to curb cross-Channel arrivals, as Eurosceptic Nigel Farage's hard-right Reform UK party uses the issue to fuel its rise. Meanwhile, speculation is rife that Macron will use the visit to announce an update on his previous offer to loan the Bayeux Tapestry to Britain. It emerged in 2018 that he had agreed to loan the embroidery, which depicts the 1066 Norman conquest of England, but the move has since stalled. The UK government said Monday that it continued to "work closely with our counterparts in France on its planned loan". The Bayeux Tapestry depicts the 1066 Norman conquest of England AFP French President Emmanuel Macron was warmly welcomed by King Charles III in Windsor AFP
LeMonde
08-07-2025
- Politics
- LeMonde
Macron kicks off pomp-filled UK state visit
King Charles III and President of France, Emmanuel Macron on a state drive to Windsor Castle on July 08, 2025 in Windsor, England. CHRIS JACKSON / VIA REUTERS French President Emmanuel Macron began a three-day state visit to Britain on Tuesday, July 8, which will see him address parliament and try to rekindle a purportedly warm relationship with King Charles III. Macron and his wife Brigitte were greeted off the presidential plane at an air base northwest of London by heir-to-the-throne Prince William and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales. Macron hailed an "important moment for our two nations" on X. "Together, we will address the major challenges of our time: security, defense, nuclear energy, space, innovation, artificial intelligence, migration, and culture," he posted, vowing to "deepen our cooperation in a concrete, effective, and lasting way." It is the first state visit by an European Union head of state since Brexit – the United Kingdom's (UK) acrimonious 2020 departure from the bloc – and the first by a French president since Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008. During the visit, Macron will hold several meetings with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who promised to reset relations with European capitals when he took power in 2024 after years of Brexit-fuelled tension. Calling it "historic," Starmer's office said the visit would showcase "the breadth of the existing relationship" between Britain and France. Windsor pomp Macron's Francophile host King Charles has called ties with Britain's cross-Channel neighbor "indispensable" and the two men are believed to have a warm rapport. The king made a 2023 state visit to France, one of his first after ascending the throne and widely regarded as a success. Macron was due to first travel to Windsor Castle to meet the king and his wife, Queen Camilla. The French leader and his wife will enjoy various displays of British pomp and pageantry, including lunch and later a banquet at the castle. "Our two countries face a multitude of complex threats, emanating from multiple directions. As friends and as allies, we face them together," King Charles is due to tell Macron at the banquet, according to a press release from Buckingham Palace. Macron will follow in the footsteps of predecessors Charles de Gaulle and François Mitterrand by addressing lawmakers in the UK parliament. On Wednesday, Macron will have lunch with Starmer and the two leaders will also co-host on Thursday the 37th Franco-British Summit, where they are set to discuss opportunities to strengthen defense ties. Ukraine and immigration talks Britain and France are spearheading talks among a 30-nation coalition on how to support a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, including potentially deploying peacekeeping forces. The two leaders will dial in to a meeting of the coalition on Thursday "to discuss stepping up support for Ukraine and further increasing pressure on Russia," Starmer's office confirmed on Monday. They will speak to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, according to the French presidency. Irregular migration is also set to feature in talks between Macron and Starmer. The British leader is under intense pressure to curb cross-Channel arrivals, as Eurosceptic Nigel Farage's hard-right Reform UK party uses the issue to fuel its rise. London has for years pressed Paris to do more to halt the boats leaving from northern French beaches, welcoming footage last Friday showing French police stopping one such boat from departing. Le Monde with AFP Reuse this content
Eyewitness News
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
France's Macron kicks off pomp-filled UK state visit
LONDON - French President Emmanuel Macron begins a three-day state visit to Britain on Tuesday, which will see him address parliament and try to rekindle a purportedly warm relationship with King Charles III. The French leader will hold several meetings with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who promised to reset relations with European capitals when he took power in 2024 after years of Brexit-fuelled tension. Their discussions are expected to focus on aid to war-torn Ukraine and bolstering defence spending, as well as joint efforts to stop migrants from crossing the Channel in small boats -- a potent political issue in Britain. It is the first state visit by an EU head of state since the UK's acrimonious 2020 departure from the bloc, and the first by a French president since Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008. Calling it "historic", Starmer's office said the visit would showcase "the breadth of the existing relationship" between Britain and France. It added that Starmer would "aim to drive forward progress on tackling irregular migration, enhancing our defence and security co-operation and boosting trade and investment". Macron's Francophile host King Charles has called ties with Britain's cross-Channel neighbour "indispensable" and the two men are believed to have a warm rapport. The king made a 2023 state visit to France, one of his first after ascending the throne and widely regarded as a success. - WINDSOR POMP- Macron and his wife Brigitte will be greeted off the plane by heir-to-the-throne Prince William and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, before travelling to Windsor Castle to meet the king and his wife, Queen Camilla. The French leader and his wife will enjoy various displays of British pomp and pageantry including lunch and later a banquet at the castle. "Our two countries face a multitude of complex threats, emanating from multiple directions. As friends and as allies, we face them together," King Charles is due to tell Macron at the banquet, according to a press release from Buckingham Palace. "Our two nations share not only values, but also the tireless determination to act on them in the world." Macron will follow in the footsteps of predecessors Charles de Gaulle and Francois Mitterrand by addressing lawmakers in the UK parliament. On Wednesday, Macron will have lunch with Starmer and the two leaders will also co-host on Thursday the 37th Franco-British Summit, where they are set to discuss opportunities to strengthen defence ties. Britain and France are spearheading talks amongst a 30-nation coalition on how to support a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, including potentially deploying peacekeeping forces. The two leaders will dial in to a meeting of the coalition on Thursday "to discuss stepping up support for Ukraine and further increasing pressure on Russia", Starmer's office confirmed on Monday. - TAPESTRY LOAN- They will speak to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, according to the French presidency. Irregular migration is also set to feature in talks between Macron and Starmer. The British leader is under intense pressure to curb cross-Channel arrivals, as Eurosceptic Nigel Farage's hard-right Reform UK party uses the issue to fuel its rise. London has for years pressed Paris to do more to halt the boats leaving from northern French beaches, welcoming footage last Friday showing French police stopping one such boat from departing. Meanwhile, speculation is rife that Macron will use the visit to announce an update on his previous offer to loan the Bayeux Tapestry to Britain. It emerged in 2018 that he had agreed to loan the embroidery, which depicts the 1066 Norman conquest of England, but the move has since stalled. The UK government said on Monday that it continued to "work closely with our counterparts in France on its planned loan".
