Latest news with #StateLandau
Japan Today
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Today
Pomp, pageantry and politesse greet French President Macron in display of British royals' soft power
Britain's King Charles III and France's President Emmanuel Macron, right, travel in a 1902 State Landau on a state drive to Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, Tuesday July 8, 2025, on the first day of a three-day state visit to Britain. (Chris Jackson/Pool via AP) By DANICA KIRKA The French Tricolor and Britain's Union flag hang from the standards near Windsor Castle. The carriages are primed, the tiaras polished. French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, arrived in Britain on Tuesday at the start of a state visit as the two countries highlight their long friendship with conspicuous displays of military pomp, golden carriages and royal toasts. The backdrop for day one is Windsor Castle, a royal fortress for over 900 years that remains a working palace today. Prince William and the Princess of Wales greeted the Macrons at RAF Northolt outside London. King Charles III later formally welcomed the couple later at Windsor Castle, where they rode in a horse-drawn carriage and reviewed a military guard of honor. The first day will end with a state banquet at the castle. Charles and Queen Camilla traveled to France in September 2023 in a visit that highlighted the historic ties between Britain and its closest European neighbor. That royal trip came after years of sometimes prickly relations strained by Britain's exit from the European Union and disagreements over the growing number of migrants crossing the English Channel on small boats. President Macron's arrival in Britain marks the first state visit by a French head of state since President Nicolas Sarkozy traveled to London in 2008. State visits are ceremonial meetings between heads of state that are used to honor friendly nations and sometimes smooth relations between rivals. While the king formally issues the invitation for a state visit, he does so on the advice of the elected government. State visits to Britain are particularly prized by heads of state because they come with a full complement of royal pomp and circumstance, including military reviews, carriage rides and a glittering state banquet hosted by the monarch. The events normally take place in and around Buckingham Palace in central London. But the Macrons will stay at Windsor Castle, to the west of the capital. Buckingham Palace is undergoing extensive remodeling. This is just the fifth state visit since King Charles ascended the throne in September 2022. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa had the honor of receiving the first invitation for a state visit during the new king's reign and spent three days in Britain in November 2022. The leaders of Qatar, Japan and South Korea have also received the full royal treatment. More controversially, Charles has invited U.S. President Donald Trump to make an unprecedented second state visit to Britain, which is expected to take place in the autumn. While Prime Minister Keir Starmer is trying to bolster relations with the U.S., some U.K. lawmakers have questioned whether Trump should be awarded such an honor after he torpedoed long-standing norms for global trade, refused to condemn Russian aggression in Ukraine and proposed moving Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip. 'An invitation for a state visit is highly prized amongst world leaders,'' said Craig Prescott, a constitutional law expert at Royal Holloway, University of London, who focuses on the political role of the monarchy. 'Now, it won't necessarily turn an enemy into an ally, but it can be part of that broader diplomatic move to maybe get the best out of someone. "It's that cherry on the top, but at times it could be a very valuable cherry.' Queen Elizabeth II, Charles' mother, hosted 112 state visits during her seven decades on the throne. State visits are nothing if not a showcase for the British military, which has a global reputation for putting on displays of spit-and-polish precision by soldiers wearing their iconic scarlet tunics and bearskin hats. Active duty troops who rotate from operational assignments to ceremonial duties put in thousands of hours of training to ensure everything goes off without a hitch. Some 950 service members from all branches of the U.K. military will take part in the ceremonies, including 380 on street-lining duties and 180 in the Guard of Honor at Windsor Castle. Six military bands will perform a selection of both British and French music. The display is seen by the British government as a nod to close defense and diplomatic ties but also hints at the ambition for the visit, which may see new defense and security commitments. But one horse will get special attention. The Macrons will visit Fabuleu de Maucour, a horse given by the French leader to the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, when the nation celebrated the Platinum Jubilee marking her 70 years on the throne. Count on the French language to be used both in private and in public. King Charles made a point of speaking French when he addressed lawmakers in the Senate chamber in Paris on the second day of his visit to France in 2023. During that speech, the king said the alliance between Britain and France was more important than ever as he recalled how the two nations had worked together to defeat the Nazi regime. Charles was a frequent visitor to France before becoming king, making 35 official visits to the country as heir to the throne. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Egypt Independent
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
King Charles to emphasize bonds between UK and France as he welcomes Macron in first European state visit since Brexit
London CNN — King Charles III will highlight the crucial bonds between the United Kingdom and France in the face of a 'multitude of complex threats' as he welcomes President Emmanuel Macron for the first state visit by a European leader since Brexit. The French leader's three-day visit to the UK kicks off on Tuesday and sees Charles and Queen Camilla host Macron and his wife Brigitte at Windsor Castle, with a glittering banquet at the royal residence in the evening. In his toast on Tuesday evening, the King is expected to praise the strength of Anglo-French relationship as 'our two countries face a multitude of complex threats, emanating from multiple directions,' according to Britain's PA Media news agency. 'As friends and as allies, we face them together,' he will say. Charles will also reflect on the 'shared history and culture between our two peoples' and express his 'awe of France's extraordinary attributes and achievements.' The Macrons were greeted off the plane by the Prince and Princess of Wales on their arrival at RAF Northolt, west of London, and traveled together to Windsor where they were treated to a full ceremonial welcome by the King and his wife. After descending the plane's steps, the president greeted Prince William warmly before he lent forward and kissed Kate's hand. Rolling out the red carpet for the first visit by a French president to the UK since 2008, the pomp and pageantry that Britain is known for will be on full display. The King is pulling out all the stops for Macron's visit, with a carriage procession through the streets of Windsor to the historic castle. King Charles welcomed the Macrons on the dias in Windsor, chatting with the president and kissing the first lady's hand. Charles then led the royal party to the waiting open-top carriages – with the monarch and Macron riding in the 1902 State Landau. On their arrival at the castle's quadrangle, the French president was met by an honor guard formed of the Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards and F Company Scots Guards with the state colors of the regiments. Meanwhile, the regimental band played the French and British national anthems, before the dignitaries made their way inside the historic residence for a lunch in the State Dining Room joined by other members of the royal family. The King greets Macron on the first day of his state visit to the UK. The French president and his wife will stay at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, where a banquet will be held in their described the state visit as an 'important moment for our two nations' in a post on social media ahead of his arrival in Britain. 'The United Kingdom is a strategic partner, an ally, a friend. Our bond is longstanding, forged by History and strengthened by trust,' he said on X. 'Together, we will address the major challenges of our time: security, defence, nuclear energy, space, innovation, artificial intelligence, migration, and culture. These are all areas in which we seek to act together and deepen our cooperation in a concrete, effective, and lasting way.' Macron's visit comes just under two years after Charles and Camilla visited France in September 2023 and seeks to 'demonstrate the depth of the ties between our two countries and peoples,' according to the Elysee Palace. On Tuesday, Macron has a busy afternoon with a packed itinerary that will see him take a trip into London to lay a wreath at Westminster Abbey's Grave of the Unknown Warrior before addressing both Houses of Parliament in the Palace of Westminster's Royal Gallery. In the days ahead, the French leader will hold several meetings with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer as the pair seek to heal wounds after years of Brexit-fueled animosity. Their talks are expected to focus on support for defense and security cooperation as well as tackling illegal migration across the Channel. On Thursday, the pair will join a UK-France Summit at Downing Street. Support for Ukraine will also be a priority for the two leaders as they seek to build momentum around their 'Coalition of the Willing' – the European peacekeeping force created in March. They are also expected to visit a military base in northwest London where they will dial into a meeting of the informal group of nations working to bolster support for Ukraine. Both leaders have faced political challenges at home amid an increasing fractured landscape, and have suffered from decreasing popularity in recent polls. It's likely they'll be hoping the visit offers a much-needed, if fleeting, boost. Major deals on Ukraine and curbing migrant boat crossings seem unlikely but even more humble announcements would illustrate a further resetting of the relationship between the two nations.
Daily Mirror
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
King Charles spotted with bloodshot eye as health condition explained
After arriving in the UK for their state visit, the French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte were warmly welcomed by King Charles and Queen Camilla who treated their guests to a carriage ride through Winsdor King Charles has treated French President Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte to a carriage ride through Windsor at the start of their state visit to the UK. After being formally welcomed to the country at RAF Northolt by the Prince and Princess of Wales earlier today, the Macrons then received the warmest and most tactile of welcomes from the Royal Family, who swapped kisses and affectionate pats on the arm as they greeted one another on the royal dais in Windsor. The King kissed Mrs Macron on the hand, while President Macron kissed Queen Camilla's hand. The Queen and Mrs Macron, who have met many times before, talked with their heads together like old friends. The President leaned over to grasp Prince William's arm as they talked, while the King reached out to the Princess of Wales with a hand as they said hello. The Princess curtseyed to the King twice for good measure, seemingly unsure that he had seen it the first time, and performed the same ritual for the Queen before kissing her on the cheek. Finally, as the Franco-British introductions wrapped up, William kissed his stepmother Camilla on the cheek, leaning over to avoid knocking her hat. It was the start of a three-day French State Visit, in which the King is hosting the Macrons at Windsor Castle. During the formal welcome, King Charles could be seen with a bloodshot right eye. Buckingham Palace said that overnight he experienced a burst blood vessel in his right eye, which is said to be unrelated to any other health conditions. Afterwards, the three couples, who stood side by side for the national anthems of France and the UK, spent a few minutes greeting a line-up of dignitaries before splitting into carriages to ride through Windsor. The King and President Macron sat together in the first carriage, the 1902 State Landau, immediately seen deep in conversation. The Queen and Mrs Macron followed in the Semi-State Landau behind, looking around them as cheers could be heard in the distance and beginning to wave at those assembling at the side of the road. The Prince and Princess of Wales sat together in a third carriage, an Ascot Landau, with France's armed forces minister Sebastien Lecornu and French culture minister Rachida Dati. The final two Ascot Landau carriages will carried Helene Duchene, the French ambassador to the UK, and General Fabien Mandon, chief of the military staff. At one point Camilla appeared to imitate riding a horse, which made Mrs Macron laugh. The Princess of Wales gave a deep curtsy to both the King and Queen and Camilla greeted the Prince and Princess of Wales with a kiss on the cheeck. William, talking to Macron, appeared to point towards the turret of Windsor Castle in the distance, where they will join their guests for lunch and, later, tonight's state banquet. The King and president will both deliver speeches at the state banquet this evening in the medieval St George's Hall, where some 160 guests will be seated at the elaborately decorated 50 metre table, which will run the full length of the vast room. Kensington Palace has yet to confirm whether Kate will attend the banquet. During his speech, the King will stress the vital partnership between France and the UK in the face of a "multitude of complex threats". As France and the UK are expected to announce a joint plan on small boat crossings, the King will highlight how "these challenges know no borders", adding "no fortress can protect us against them this time". At a glittering banquet in the historic Berkshire landmark this evening, the monarch will deliver a speech, adding: "as friends and as allies, we face them together". The King will also tell Mr Macron that Britain and France can help lead the way in confronting threats relating to defence, technology and climate change, saying: "Our two nations share not only values, but also the tireless determination to act on them in the world." The King, in his toast, will reflect on 1,000 years of "shared history and culture between our two peoples", including many of the royal family's personal connections to France. "For centuries our citizens have admired each other, amused each other, and imitated each other", he will say, and reveal how he remains "in awe of France's extraordinary attributes and achievements".
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
King and Queen get lavish welcome as they touch down for whistlestop Canada tour
King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived in Canada for a 24 hour visit to North America and were welcomed by the Governor General, prime minister Mark Carney and other dignitaries The King and Queen received a ceremonial welcome as they touched down in Canada for a whirlwind visit to the nation's capital to attend the State Opening of Parliament tomorrow. Charles - making his first trip as head of state - and Camilla touched down in the capital Ottawa at 1.30pm local time, on board a Royal Canadian Air Force jet dispatched to bring them across the Atlantic. The Queen wore a pale pink fringed Anna Valentine coat dress, Chanel shoes and, in a diplomatic nod to her hosts, a diamond maple leaf brooch, which was originally a gift from King George VI to the Queen Mother. The historic trip, lasting just 24 hours, was brought together after newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney, former head of the Bank of England, invited the King to attend the state opening of parliament. Charles will on Tuesday attend the event and deliver the objectives of the new Canadian government, much the same as he would do in the UK, but without the formality or royal regalia. Schoolchildren from Ontario and Quebec joined dignitaries including the Governor General, prime minister Carney and representatives of Canada's three indigenous groups, to welcome the King and Queen before they were taken to a local park to kick off a community event. Senior aides at Buckingham Palace said although the visit was indeed short, the King would hope its impact would be felt deeply by Canadians amid rising tensions with the United States. President Donald Trump provoked outrage after taking aim at Canada with a trade war and threats to annex the country as America's 51st state. Royal sources said the trip would be 'soft power in action' while Ralph Goodale, the High Commissioner for Canada in the UK, said Their Majesties visit would 'reinforce the power and the strength of the message' to Donald Trump that 'Canada is not for sale'. The King and Queen will travel to the state opening tomorrow in the 1902 State Landau carriage, while Charles will sit on a throne carved from a walnut tree from Windsor Great Park. The late Queen Elizabeth II was the first sovereign to deliver the speech at the state opening of the Canadian parliament on October 1957, her first visit to the country as head of state. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson commenting about the trip has said: "The King and Queen are very much looking forward to the programme, mindful that it is a short visit but hopefully an impactful one." Steven Guilbeault, Canada's minister of identity and culture, said: "His Majesty's delivery of the Speech from the Throne to open the 45th Parliament is a momentous occasion, one that brings Canadians together in celebration of our rich history, our democracy and the institutions that serve us all. "This visit offers an opportunity to showcase the special relationship between Canada and the Crown, while also highlighting the strength, diversity and unity that define us on the world stage." Steven Guilbeault, Canada's minister of identity and culture, said: "His Majesty's delivery of the Speech from the Throne to open the 45th Parliament is a momentous occasion - one that brings Canadians together in celebration of our rich history, our democracy and the institutions that serve us all. "This visit offers an opportunity to showcase the special relationship between Canada and the Crown, while also highlighting the strength, diversity and unity that define us on the world stage." Arriving in Ottawa on a Royal Canadian Air Force Airbus CC-330 Husky, Charles and Camilla stepped out of the aircraft to an impressive display of pomp and pageantry, with a rousing musical performance by the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces and a 25-member Guard of Honour from the Royal Canadian Dragoons, for which the King is Colonel-in-Chief. Almost a dozen dignitaries waited to greet them at the bottom of the steps as they stepped out onto Canadian soil for the first since the King ascended the throne in September 2022. Among those waiting in the beaming sunshine included newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney and his wife, Diana, who the King greeted warmly and kept a prolonged handshake. Representatives of Canada's First Nations communities were among the welcoming party, including Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who was wearing a rare treaty medal that was given to one of the original signatories of Treaty 2 - which established land reserves, education and other provisions for the First Nations. Cindy showed the King the silver medal, which show two people shaking hands and were a gift given on behalf of Queen Victoria to the 9 First Nations who signed the treaty - one of which was her ancestor, Chief Richard Woodhouse.. Fourteen-year-old Lila Graham from Carleton Place, Ontario, who since the age of four has asked for food bank donations in lieu of birthday presents, presented the Queen with a posey of flowers. 'They're beautiful,' she said while the King enquired about the Coronation medal pinned to her navy blue dress. In March, Lila became one of the youngest recipients of the King Charles III Coronation medal for her community service, having helped secure over 771kg (1,700lbs) of donations for Lanark County Food Bank. The King and Queen, who flew from the UK earlier on Monday, then went over to listen to an Algonquin group playing drums. Speaking to Governor General Mary Simon, Charles said 'the drum has a lovely skin on it,' before going on to greet dozens of schoolchildren from Ontario and Quebec who had gathered to greet the royal couple. One of the school groups comprised of pupils enrolled in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, a youth achievement programme that encourages personal development and was founded by the King's father, Prince Philip, in 1956. After shaking as many hands as they could, the King and Queen got into the waiting car and headed to their next engagement at Lansdowne Park.
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Charles lands in Canada for whistlestop visit amid country's tensions with Trump
King Charles and Queen Camilla have kicked off their whistlestop trip to Canada, which has been described as a sign of strength and support for the country amid a war of words with Donald Trump. The royal couple landed in Ottawa this evening marking the first time that Charles has been on Canadian soil since he became King and head of state of the country. The King and Queen were greeted by Canadian Mounties and flag waving schoolchildren. The Queen wore a pale pink fringed Anna Valentine coat dress, Chanel shoes and, in a diplomatic nod to her hosts, a diamond maple leaf brooch, which was originally a gift from King George VI to the Queen Mother. Schoolchildren from Ontario and Quebec joined dignitaries including the Governor General, prime minister Carney and representatives of Canada's three indigenous groups, to welcome the King and Queen before they were taken to a local park to kick off a community event. Senior aides at Buckingham Palace said although the visit was indeed short at just two days, the King would hope its impact would be felt deeply by Canadians amid rising tensions with the United States. Later today, the King will hold audiences with Canada's first indigenous Governor General, Mary Simon, the King's representative in Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney, and there will be a short ceremony to swear in Camilla as a member of the Canadian Privy Council. Charles and Camilla's events will conclude today with a short reception for lieutenant governors from Canada's 10 provinces and the territorial commissioners from the three territories. The trip comes in the wake of verbal aggression from US President Donald Trump, who claimed that Canada should become the 51st state of America, prompting outrage. When new when Canadian PM Mr Carney met Trump at the White House in the days after his election victory last month, he told him in no uncertain terms Canada is "not for sale". However, the unprecedented trip, which will be Charles' first to Canada as King, will also see him walk a diplomatic tightrope. He faces the difficult task of balancing his duties as Canada's head of state and his role in Keir Starmer's attempt at maintaining strong relations between the UK and the US. The centrepiece of the trip to Canada will be tomorrow (Tuesday) when Charles and Camilla will attend the state opening of parliament, similar to the UK parliament's opening ceremony but without the formality or royal regalia found in Britain. They will travel to the state openingin the 1902 State Landau carriage, while Charles will sit on a throne carved from a walnut tree from Windsor Great Park. The late Queen was the first sovereign to deliver a speech at the state opening of the Canadian parliament in October 1957, her first visit to the country as head of state. During their two-day trip, Charles will become only the second monarch, after Queen Elizabeth II, to attend the state opening of Canada's parliament and deliver the speech setting out the government's legislative agenda. Charles will be delivering the words of the Canadian government, similar to a UK State opening of parliament, but commentators will be looking for any veiled references to Trump. The King istravelling with his wife less than a month after former Bank of England governor Mark Carney's Liberal Party election victory, fuelled in part by its opposition to the US leader. Mr Carney's rival, populist Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, was in the lead until Mr Trump took aim at Canada with a trade war and threats to annex the country as the 51st state, comments denounced by the ex-governor. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson commenting about the trip has said: "The King and Queen are very much looking forward to the programme, mindful that it is a short visit but hopefully an impactful one." Steven Guilbeault, Canada's minister of identity and culture, said: "His Majesty's delivery of the Speech from the Throne to open the 45th Parliament is a momentous occasion, one that brings Canadians together in celebration of our rich history, our democracy and the institutions that serve us all. "This visit offers an opportunity to showcase the special relationship between Canada and the Crown, while also highlighting the strength, diversity and unity that define us on the world stage." As the royals get back to their normal duties after a difficult year, the Mirror has launched its very own Royal WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest news on the UK's most famous family. We'll send you the latest breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is , select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our .
