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CNA
5 days ago
- Politics
- CNA
UK prepares full state visit for Trump in September, a rare second invitation for a foreign leader
LONDON: Britain will welcome US President Donald Trump for an unprecedented second state visit in September, Buckingham Palace confirmed on Monday (Jul 14), saying he will stay as the guest of King Charles III at Windsor Castle. The US president, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, has accepted an invitation from King Charles to pay a state visit to the United Kingdom from Sep 17 to Sep 19, the palace said in a statement. The visit will come just two months after Charles and Queen Camilla hosted French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte at Windsor. Trump was invited by a personal letter from Charles, which UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hand-delivered to Trump during a visit to Washington in February. ROYAL WELCOME AND SECURITY MEASURES Starmer has been seeking to woo Trump with a charm offensive, hoping to strengthen ties and improve the UK's position in trade negotiations with the US. Trump, a longtime admirer of the British royal family, called the invitation a "very great honour" and opened the letter from the king in front of the media. "This is really special, this has never happened before, this is unprecedented," Starmer said in the Oval Office while presenting the letter. "This is truly historic." Security is expected to be tight for the September trip. Trump's 2019 state visit drew large protests, and the Stop Trump Coalition has already announced plans for a major demonstration in London on Sep 17. A YouGov poll in March showed that 78 per cent of Britons surveyed had a negative view of Trump, with only 16 per cent holding a positive opinion. No other foreign leader has received a second state visit to the UK. Trump previously met the late Queen Elizabeth II during his first state visit. The Times newspaper reported that King Charles preferred to delay a second visit until later in Trump's term, but Starmer pushed to bring it forward. "The prime minister has expedited a full 'bells and whistles' visit in an attempt to capitalise on the president's fascination with the royal family," the newspaper said. SCOTLAND STOP AND CANADA TENSIONS Trump is expected to visit Scotland, where he owns two golf resorts, later this month. Downing Street confirmed on Monday that he will be visiting in a private capacity, and that Starmer has accepted Trump's invitation to meet during his stay. Scotland's First Minister John Swinney is also expected to meet with Trump, with security arrangements being coordinated by Police Scotland and other agencies. Tensions between the US and Canada may add a layer of diplomatic complexity. Trump has threatened to impose a 35 per cent tariff on Canadian imports starting Aug 1, and has joked about Canada becoming the 51st US state. Charles, who is also Canada's head of state, could find himself in an awkward position amid the escalating rhetoric. Trump, whose mother was Scottish, expressed admiration for Charles during his February meeting with Starmer. "He's a beautiful man, a wonderful man -- I've gotten to know him very well, actually. First term and now second term," Trump said. NO PARLIAMENT ADDRESS EXPECTED Unlike Macron, who addressed the British parliament during his recent state visit, Trump is not expected to deliver a speech to lawmakers. Parliament will be on recess during his visit. During Macron's visit, the UK rolled out a full ceremonial welcome including a horse-drawn procession and a banquet at Windsor Castle, where leaders emphasized renewed UK-France cooperation.
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Revealed: The meaningful gifts exchanged by the King and Queen and the Macrons during the French President and First Lady's state visit
The French President and First Lady arrived in London to a very warm royal welcome yesterday. Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron were met at RAF Northolt by the Prince and Princess of Wales before joining the King and Queen for a carriage procession on the first day of their three-day state visit to the UK. Through their outfits and accessories, the senior royals signified their affection for France and their commitment to ensuring strong relations between the two nations for years to come - but King Charles also made his feelings known through a series of meaningful gifts. The monarch, 76, gifted Mr Macron, 47, a nine feet tall sapling of an oak tree from the Savill Garden Nursery - a 35-acre stretch of gardens and woodland located in Windsor Great Park - to be planted in the garden of the French Residence in London. His Majesty presented the tree to the French President while the two heads of state, accompanied by their wives, were touring Windsor gardens this morning. The gift recalled Charles and Camilla's state visit to France in 2023, when Mr Macron gave the King an oak sapling for the garden of the British Residence in Paris. In addition, Charles, who is known to be a competent artist, gifted the Macrons 12 placemats featuring watercolours of Scotland and France painted by himself. Finally, the King delivered a third present to their French visitors, which was no less significant. Charles provided the First Couple with a 1931 edition of John Florio's translation of the works of 16th century French philosopher and essayist Michel de Montaigne. English linguist John Florio authored the very first translation of Montaigne's 'Essays', published in 1603, 11 years after the French writer's death. The Macrons returned the thoughtful gesture, offering the King and Queen three heartfelt gifts of their own. Mr Macron gave music lover Charles a special copy of the original piano and vocal score of the 1902 'Pelléas et Mélisande' by French composer Claude Debussy. In addition, Charles received a Couesnon trumpet from the cavalry band of the French Republican Guard. The third kindhearted gift, which tapped into Charles's passion for painting, was a personalised Senelier watercolour set in an inscribed walnut case. Last of all, the Macrons gifted the royals a hamper of produce from the Élysée Palace, which included honey from the beehives located in the grounds and other artisanal products. Marking the second day of the Macrons' state visit to Britain, today began with a tour of the grounds of Windsor Castle and a visit to a horse gifted to the late Queen Elizabeth II. The King and Queen were seen warmly greeting Emmanuel and Brigitte in the grounds of the castle after a dazzling State Banquet last night. The personal tour of Windsor Castle's grounds is thought to be a State Visit first, and saw the King show Mr Macron areas of work on nature restoration and biodiversity within the gardens and the wider Great Park – reflecting his personal passions. As the King and Mr Macron strolled through the South Garden of the centuries–old Royal residence, Mrs Macron was accompanied by the Queen as she visited grey gelding Fabuleu de Maucour. The horse, previously a standard–bearer for France 's Republican Guard, was gifted to Queen Elizabeth II to mark her Platinum Jubilee in 2022, and was hailed by diplomats as 'epitomising French horse–breeding'. It had been gifted to the late monarch in recognition of her love of horses. Mr Macron was also seen to inspect his gift to the late Queen, alongside the Charabanc carriage, which was gifted to Queen Victoria by King Louis–Philippe of France in 1844. Earlier, in a private period of the tour, Mr and Mrs Macron laid flowers at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II, who was laid to rest at the King George VI Memorial Chapel within the castle's St George's Chapel. Mr Macron had last night told Charles of France's 'real affection' for his late mother, adding that he believed the feeling was 'reciprocal'. 'She was your queen,' he said at the State Banquet. 'To us, she was the Queen.' The President and the First Lady of France was invited to meet Fabuleu de Maucour, a horse gifted by Mr Macron to Queen Elizabeth II to mark her Platinum Jubilee The King showed Mr Macron around the sun–dappled South Gardens – ahead of talks between the French President and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer Charles was seen to bid a fond farewell to Mrs Macron, kissing her on the hand and the cheek before giving the presidential couple a cheery wave as he and Camilla headed back into the castle. The King and Mr Macron were seen to clasp hands for almost 30 seconds as they formally bid farewell. Following the morning stroll, the French President and First Lady will dine with the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer this afternoon. Mr Macron and Mr Starmer are also expected to hold crunch talks on solving the migrant crisis amid record levels of small boats making the treacherous journey across the English Channel from France – with the UK expected to provide extra funding for tougher enforcement along French coastlines. For the morning wander, The King wore a light grey pinstriped suit with a blue tie, patterned with Greek flags, and a matching pocket square. The Queen was dressed in a Liberty London dress adorned with an animal pattern inspired by the works of British children's illustrator Brian Wildsmith. Mr Macron opted for a dark three–piece suit and a black tie, while Mrs Macron wore a double–breasted off–white jacket with matching pencil skirt. Before parting, the heads of state exchanged deeply personal gifts, with nods to the morning's tour of the castle. They included a 9ft oak tree sapling from Windsor's Savill Garden Nursery, to be planted in the gardens of the French Residence in London – a reciprocal gift after Mr Macron gifted the King with an oak sapling during his 2023 State Visit to France, which was planted in the British Residence gardens in Paris. The King also gifted Mr Macron with a dozen placemats depicting watercolour scenes of Scotland and France, painted by Charles. His third and final gift was a 1931 edition of 16th Century royal language tutor John Florio's translations of the works of French philosopher Montaigne. In return, Mr Macron gifted the King with a special copy of the original piano and vocal score of Debussy's Pelléas et Mélisande dated 1902, and a Couesnon trumpet from the French Republican Guard's cavalry band. In a touching nod to the King's love of watercolour painting, he has also given Charles a personalised Sennelier watercolour set in an inscribed walnut case, alongside a hamper of produce from the Élysée Palace, including honey from its beehives. Mr and Mrs Macron then visited Imperial College London to view an exhibition on AI and emerging innovators in technology. Mr Macron joined a panel on artificial intelligence alongside tech leaders including Demis Hassabis, boss of Google–owned AI firm DeepMind. They are then set to lunch with Sir Keir and his wife Lady Victoria Starmer. Later, the PM and the French President are expected to attend a reception with French and UK businesses at the British Museum. The First Lady and Lady Victoria are expected to have tea and tour Downing Street. In the evening, the Macrons, joined by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, will attend a banquet at Guildhall where Alistair King, the Lord Mayor of London, and the president will both make speeches. This week's state visit has already seen its fair share of pomp and pageantry, with the King hailing 1,000 years of 'shared history' between Britain and France at last night's State Banquet, which counted Elton John and Mick Jagger among its guests – alongside the Prince and Princess of Wales. The King alluded to both nations sharing challenges that 'know no borders' in a charming and wide–ranging speech at the dinner, which was peppered with French. Royal sources have been keen to stress that his remarks were not intended to be interpreted as an allusion to the two countries' ongoing struggle to curtain the small boats crisis in the Channel – but instead a 'multitude' of shared concerns. These include climate change, defence, technology and the nations' ongoing support of Ukraine as it continues to fight back against Russia's invasion. 'The answer (to these challenges) lies in partnership, and we – France and Britain – must help to lead the way,' the King said. 'Allow me to propose a toast to France and to our new Entente. An Entente not only past and present, but for the future – and no longer just cordiale, but now amicable.' Earlier, Mr Macron had told Parliament that France would finally adopt a 'firm' approach to the small boats crisis, but stressed that Britain had a role to play in making itself less lucrative to criminal smuggling gangs exploiting desperate migrants. It was 'legitimate', he said, for migrants to 'hope for a better life elsewhere' – but said the two countries 'cannot allow' rules to be flouted and criminal networks to cynically exploit the hopes of so many individuals with 'so little respect for human life'. Yesterday also saw Sir Keir and Mr Macron lay wreaths in recognition of Britain and France's long and storied history – and newly strengthened bilateral ties. Wreaths were laid at the statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square and at the statue of Charles de Gaulle in Calton Gardens – close to where the general set up his government in exile during World War II. The Prime Minister and the President laid wreaths at the statues of Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle – before Mr and Mrs Macron laid a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey, which contains the body of a British soldier found in France Mr and Mrs Macron also laid flowers at the tomb of the late Queen Elizabeth II during the Windsor Castle gardens tour on Wednesday after paying tribute to her at last night's State Banquet (pictured with the late Queen in 2021 during the G7 summit in Cornwall) The visit has seen some awkward moments – including one of the French diplomatic vehicles setting off with its boot open, sending luggage scattering Mrs Macron also appeared 'frosty' as she arrived in Britain with her husband, according to a body language – weeks after the Élysée Palace was forced to deny reports she had pushed Mr Macron's face away as they landed in Vietnam Mr and Mrs Macron were also invited to lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior within Westminster Abbey. The Grave contains the body of a British soldier found in France in 1920 and contains French soil. The visit has been peppered with a handful of awkward moments, including one of the French delegation's vehicles setting off from Windsor Castle with its boot open, sending luggage scattering away. Body language experts have also been analysing Mrs Macron's demeanour after she appeared to reject her husband's offer of a helping hand down from the steps of a plane as they arrived in Britain yesterday. Analyst Judi James told MailOnline that Mrs Macron appeared to ignore her husband as she greeted The Prince and Princess of Wales, adding that she appeared 'frosty'. It came weeks after the First Lady appeared to bat away her husband's face as they landed in Vietnam – since downplayed by the Élysée Palace as a harmless joke between the pair. With talks looming today, Sir Keir Starmer hopes to strike a 'one in, one out' deal to send small boat migrants back to the continent in exchange for accepting asylum seekers in Europe who have a connection to Britain such as family. Ministers believe the plan could help act as a deterrent, although they acknowledge the scale could be very small initially. But critics have branded the idea a 'migrant merry–go–round', while the EU commission has intervened to raise concerns that it could cause problems for other member states. Elysee Palace sources have been keen to stress that France does not blame the UK for the crisis. Instead, they say, the French President is looking forward to working with the PM 'constructively on this shared priority'. France has been seen to be engaging proactively with tackling small boats gangs, with gendarmes seen running into the water to slash so–called 'taxi boats' with knives to stop them escaping. Authorities are also reported to be trialling the deployment of nets to tangle up the propellers of outboard motors on dinghies and hamper their escape into the Channel. More than 21,000 migrants have crossed the waterway on small boats since the start of 2025 – thousands more than any other year on record. But Government minister Nick Thomas–Symonds said this week that efforts between Britain and France had stopped 12,000 people from making the journey, with 600 small boats seized. He told Times Radio: 'There is no silver bullet for it, but that work with the French, that joint work with the French, is hugely important, and it will only deepen.' On Thursday, the final day of the State Visit, Mr Macron will join the Prime Minister at Downing Street for a UK–France summit. The full list of gifts exchanged between King Charles III and President Macron From The King to President Macron: 1. A 9ft tree–sapling of an oak tree from the Savill Garden Nursery, Windsor to be planted in the garden of the French Residence in London. His Majesty presented the tree to President Macron during their walk of the gardens in Windsor this morning. The gift reciprocates the oak sapling given to His Majesty by President Macron during Their Majesties' State Visit to France in 2023, planted in the British Residence garden in Paris. The gift reciprocates the oak sapling given to His Majesty by President Macron during Their Majesties' State Visit to France in 2023, planted in the British Residence garden in Paris. 2. A set of twelve placemats featuring watercolours of Scotland and France painted by His Majesty. 3. A 1931 edition of John Florio's translation of the works of Montaigne. From President Macron to The King: 1. A special copy of the original piano and vocal score of 'Pelléas et Mélisande' by Debussy, 1902. 2. A Couesnon trumpet from the cavalry band of the French Republican Guard. 3. A personalised Sennelier watercolour set, in an inscribed walnut case. 4. A hamper of produce from the Élysée Palace including honey from the palace beehives and other artisanal products.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kisses, handshakes: British royals host friendly state visit for French president
There were protocol-compliant hugs, kisses and firm handshakes Tuesday as the visibly delighted Macrons received an affectionate welcome from King Charles III and his wife Camilla on the first state to Britain by a French president in 17 years. The French first couple Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte garnered a full quota of royal pomp as Charles and Camilla's guests at the historic Windsor Castle, west of London Francophile Charles and Macron have already met several times in recent years and enjoy a good relationship. Underlining their ease in each other's company at the start of the visit -- before it takes a more political turn with an address to parliament -- their exchanges were demonstrably friendly and natural, despite the meticulously regulated protocol. At their side, their wives Brigitte, wearing a white dress, and Queen Camilla in a bright green outfit appeared equally comfortable as they kissed each other. Around noon, after a band played the French national anthem, the Marseillaise, the two couples climbed into royal carriages. The king and Macron, both sporting blue suits, travelled in one while their spouses were in a second. Behind the first couples, heir-to-the-throne Prince William and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, followed. After that came French culture minister Rachida Dati and defence minister Sebastien Lecornu. The scene had a touch of deja vu for Dati who previously accompanied former president Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni in 2008. - Good rapport - A large crowd of Windsor residents and tourists lined the way behind security barriers. "It is really good, it is much nicer than going to London... it is a nice place to have a state visit," said Suzanne Gardener, a 64-year-old retiree who came with her husband to watch the procession. Windsor and its castle, about 30 miles (48 kilometres) west of London, was a favoured residence of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Elizabeth, who is buried in the castle's St George's Chapel, was known to favour the property over Buckingham Palace in central London which is currently undergoing renovations. "I hope he (Macron) enjoys it, and his wife as well... I think they all get along well," added Gardener. Arriving in the castle courtyard, the Marseillaise was played again by a regiment of the Scots Guards resplendent in their their famous tall bearskin hats, followed by God Save the King. Then king, queen, the Macrons, William and Catherine then disembarked and took their positions for a royal salute. The French president and the king then inspected the troops, as planes flew noisily over the castle which is located not far from Heathrow Airport. - Red eye - Charles nursed a visibly red eye, the result of a burst blood vessel, according to the palace. As the two leaders prepared to join their wives, the French president narrowly avoided a breach of protocol when he nearly grabbed the king by the shoulder. Meanwhile, Brigitte and Camilla chatted, smiling and clearly enjoying each other's company. The three couples then headed for lunch at Windsor before they will be reunited for a state banquet on Tuesday evening, with around 150 guests. The presence at the banquet of Catherine, also known as Kate, who is recovering from cancer, has not been officially confirmed by the palace. Dressed in a pale pink Dior jacket and dress ensemble, the princess earlier accompanied Prince William to an airbase west of London to personally welcome the Macrons. vl-mhc/har/jj/giv
