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Perth Now
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Starmer, Macron agree on need for migrant deterrent: UK
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed on the need for new solutions to the problem of illegal migration, Starmer's office says. The two met for lunch during on Wednesday, with both sides talking up the need to deliver concrete progress to stop migrants travelling to England from France. "The leaders agreed tackling the threat of irregular migration and small boat crossings is a shared priority that requires shared solutions," a summary of the meeting sent out by Starmer's office said. "The two leaders agreed on the need to go further and make progress on new and innovative solutions, including a new deterrent to break the business model of these gangs." Starmer is seeking to agree to a returns deal for asylum seekers ahead of a bilateral summit on Thursday. Such an agreement would help the prime minister meet a pledge to stop the flow of tens of thousands of people into the United Kingdom from across the Channel. France has rejected a returns deal for asylum seekers in the past, saying the UK should negotiate with the European Union as a whole. Under Starmer's plan, the UK would deport one asylum seeker to France in exchange for another with a legitimate case. But in a speech on Tuesday, Macron spoke of the need to address "migration pull factors," suggesting any deal would require Starmer to make it harder for migrants who do not have legal status to live and work in the UK. The two countries have also been working to create a military force to back Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, and co-operation on trade and defence were themes in Macron's speech on Tuesday. Macron's three-day visit, at the invitation of King Charles III, is the first state visit to the UK by a European Union head of state since Brexit. The president and his wife, Brigitte Macron, were greeted on Tuesday on a red carpet at London's RAF Northolt air base by the Prince and Princess of Wales and they were met in Windsor, west of London, by King Charles and Queen Camilla. A military band played the French and UK national anthems as all four set out for the royal residence of Windsor Castle in horse-drawn carriages, through streets bedecked in Union Jacks and French tricolour flags. with AP
LeMonde
09-07-2025
- Politics
- LeMonde
'La Marseillaise' rings out in Windsor as Macron begins UK state visit
There were carriages, a profusion of uniforms, exceptional jewels, and the gilding of the House of Lords. Even the weather cooperated, with brilliant sunshine over London and Windsor. Everything was in place on Tuesday, July 8, for the first day of President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to the United Kingdom. The aim was to demonstrate the enduring bond between Paris and London by deploying the full pomp of the British monarchy. The two countries, which fought wars for centuries, have coexisted peacefully since the Entente Cordiale of 1904. Now, in the face of mounting geopolitical threats, they are seeking to move beyond the tensions generated by Brexit in 2020. The day began at RAF Northolt, a military base west of London, where the French president and first lady were greeted by Prince William and Catherine. The British media emphasized this as a special gesture, especially because Catherine, who is currently in remission from cancer, was dressed head-to-toe in Dior. The procession went straight to Windsor, decked out with British and French flags, where Macron and King Charles III took their seats for a short parade in the "1902 State Landau" – a carriage that was specially built for the coronation of Edward VII, Elizabeth II's great-grandfather – before disappearing behind Windsor Castle's high walls to the sound of "La Marseillaise."
Edinburgh Live
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Live
Kate Middleton and Prince William have royal fans bemused with 'strange' staging
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Royal enthusiasts were left scratching their heads over the 'odd' arrangement during the official reception for French President Emmanuel Macron. Upon his arrival in the UK for a three-day state visit, Macron and his spouse Brigitte were welcomed by Prince William and Kate at RAF Northolt. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge then escorted the French dignitaries to Windsor, where they met with King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla for a formal greeting ceremony at Windsor Castle. Following this, Charles and Macron reviewed the Guard of Honour's military display. As the royals observed the guards on horseback carrying out their ceremonial duties, the setup puzzled many onlookers, as King Charles, Queen Camilla, Macron, and Brigitte stood elevated and sheltered, while Kate and William were positioned to the side. A spectator highlighted the issue on X, commenting: "Am I the only one who objects to this staging? Who thought it was a good idea to place OUR Prince and Princess of Wales off stage like this? The optics are terrible." Concurring voices quickly emerged, with one individual remarking: "It doesn't look right," and another concurring: "I agree. Very awkward. They could have been on the stage behind, even would have looked better," reports the Mirror. One Royal enthusiast drew parallels to a previous state visit, remarking: "It's strange? ! On previous state visits (like the South Korean visit) they were all on the stage were they not?". Despite the puzzlement, another Royal follower suggested that strict Royal protocol was at play in this scenario, explaining that while the arrangement might seem odd, it was actually quite standard given the circumstances. They posted on X: "In royal protocol, the primary hosts and highest-ranking individuals usually take centre stage during official events. In this instance, King Charles III and Queen Camilla, along with President Macron and his wife, are seated under the awning because they are the principal figures in the state visit-the monarch and head of state hosting their guest. "Prince William and Catherine, as the Prince and Princess of Wales, hold significant but slightly junior roles compared to the King and Queen. Standing slightly to the side reflects their supportive role in the ceremony, respecting the precedence of the monarch and the visiting head of state. "William and Catherine played primary roles in welcoming President Macron and his wife at the airport, working together in support of the main hosts. This arrangement follows strict royal protocol, emphasising hierarchy and the importance of roles during formal occasions. It's perfectly normal." Last night's French state visit culminated in a star-studded Royal banquet at Windsor Castle, marking Princess Kate's return to these grand affairs after two years. Donning the legendary Lover's Knot tiara and a captivating red gown with caped back detailing by Sarah Burton for Givenchy, she joined the King, Queen Consort, Prince William, and around 160 guests for the white-tie dinner – the dazzling focal point of the French delegation's UK trip. Eager to share a glimpse of the evening, William and Kate posted an enchanting snapshot on their social media platforms ahead of the event, teasing fans with the caption: "Ready for what promises to be a wonderful State Banquet this evening in Windsor."
Daily Mirror
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Prince William and Kate leave royal fans baffled amid 'strange' staging
As the Prince and Princess of Wales welcomed French president Emmanuel Macron to the UK, many eagle-eyed royal fans were confused over Kate and William's appearance on the dais during the official welcome ceremony Royal fans have been left feeling perplexed over the 'strange' staging of the royal's official welcome to French president Emmanuel Macron. Macron and his wife Brigitte arrived in the UK for their three-day state visit, and were greeted by Prince William and Kate when they disembarked their plane at the RAF Northolt. The Prince and Princess of Wales then accompanied the French leader and his wife to Windsor, where they were joined by King Charles and Queen Camilla for an official welcome ceremony at Windsor Castle. Charles and Macron then carried out an inspection of the military Guard of Honour. As the royals stood to watch the guards perform their official welcome duties on horseback, many royal spectators were confused over the staging of the scene, as King Charles, Queen Camilla, Macron and Brigitte stood on a raised platform and under a covering, while Kate and William stood off to the side. One person pointed out the staging on X, writing: "Am I the only one who objects to this staging? Who thought it was a good idea to place OUR Prince and Princess of Wales off stage like this? The optics are terrible." Others were quick to agree, with one person writing: 'It doesn't look right,' while another added: 'I agree. Very awkward. They could have been on the stage behind, even would have looked better." Another royal fan drew comparisons to another state visit, saying: "It's strange?! On previous state visits (like the South Korean visit) they were all on the stage were they not?" But despite the confusion, one royal fan speculated the strict royal protocol that had come into play for the scene, clarifying that while the staging may seem unusual, it was actually perfectly normal given the circumstances. They wrote on X: 'In royal protocol, the primary hosts and highest-ranking individuals usually take centre stage during official events. In this instance, King Charles III and Queen Camilla, along with President Macron and his wife, are seated under the awning because they are the principal figures in the state visit—the monarch and head of state hosting their guest. 'Prince William and Catherine, as the Prince and Princess of Wales, hold significant but slightly junior roles compared to the King and Queen. Standing slightly to the side reflects their supportive role in the ceremony, respecting the precedence of the monarch and the visiting head of state. 'William and Catherine played primary roles in welcoming President Macron and his wife at the airport, working together in support of the main hosts. This arrangement follows strict royal protocol, emphasising hierarchy and the importance of roles during formal occasions. It's perfectly normal.' The first day of the French state visit culminated in a star-studded royal banquet last night, which was Princess Kate 's first state banquet in two years. Kate wore the Lover's Knot tiara and red gown with caped back detailing by Sarah Burton for Givenchy as she joined the King, Queen, her husband Prince William and some 160 guests at Windsor Castle for the white tie dinner, which is the glitzy highlight of the French state visit. Before the event, William and Kate gave a sneak peek of their outfits by posting a photo of themselves on social media with the caption: "Ready for what promises to be a wonderful State Banquet this evening in Windsor."
Edmonton Journal
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
France and Britain will ‘save Europe,' Macron says as he starts U.K. state visit
LONDON — French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday urged Britain to stick close to its neighbours despite its exit from the European Union, saying France and the U.K. will 'save Europe' by standing for democracy, law and international order in a dangerous world. Article content On a state visit that mixed royal pageantry with tough political talks on Ukraine and migration, Macron said Europe must strengthen its economy and defences and reduce its dependence 'on both the U.S. and China.' Article content Article content Article content Macron's three-day trip, at the invitation of King Charles III, is the first state visit to the U.K. by a European Union head of state since Brexit, and a symbol of the U.K. government's desire to reset relations with the bloc after Britain acrimoniously left the EU in 2020. Article content Article content 'The United Kingdom and France must once again show the world that our alliance can make all the difference,' Macron said, adding that 'we will save Europe by our example and our solidarity.' Article content He said that even though Britain has left the EU, 'the United Kingdom cannot stay on the sidelines. Because defence and security, competitiveness, democracy — the very core of our identity — are connected across Europe as a continent.' Article content Article content Article content The French president and his wife, Brigitte Macron, were treated to the full force of British ceremonial charm, a far cry from the chilly relations of 2022, when then-Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said that the 'jury is out' on whether Macron was a friend or a foe. Article content Article content The Macrons were greeted at London's RAF Northolt air base by Prince William and his wife Catherine — wearing a dress by French design house Christian Dior — before being met by King Charles and Queen Camilla in Windsor, west of London. They were driven to the almost 1,000-year-old royal residence of Windsor Castle in horse-drawn carriages, through streets bedecked in Union Jacks and French tricolor flags. Article content The king and queen hosted a banquet for the Macrons at Windsor Castle on Tuesday evening, with 160 guests including politicians, diplomats and celebrities such as Mick Jagger and Elton John. They were served summer vegetables, chicken with asparagus and iced blackcurrant parfait, along with Champagne and a gin-infused cocktail called L'entente, after the 'entente cordiale' struck between Britain and France in 1904.
