Monarch to praise French culture and strengthen ties with President Macron during historic visit
King Charles III will express deep admiration for France during a State Banquet at Windsor Castle on Tuesday evening, marking the official start of President Emmanuel Macron’s three-day State Visit to the United Kingdom.
The King and Queen Camilla are hosting the French President and First Lady Brigitte Macron from Tuesday to Thursday, in what is being seen as a significant moment for UK–France diplomacy under King Charles’s reign.
According to palace sources cited by GB News, the King will deliver a heartfelt speech praising France’s enduring cultural influence and its global leadership. He is expected to say he remains “in awe of France’s extraordinary attributes and achievements.”
His Majesty will also speak to the shared purpose between the two nations as they navigate today’s global challenges. “Our two countries face a multitude of complex threats, emanating from multiple directions,” he will say. “As friends and as allies, we face them together.”
Reflecting on over 1,000 years of shared history and culture, the King will draw attention to the deeply rooted ties between the British and French people. He will also reference his and Queen Camilla’s State Visit to France in September 2023 as a moment of personal and diplomatic connection.
King Charles is expected to highlight the strength of the UK–France alliance in addressing international issues such as climate change, conflict, and humanitarian crises. “Our two nations share not only values, but also the tireless determination to act on them in the world,” he will say.
The speech will conclude with a tribute to the mutual admiration between both countries. “For centuries our citizens have admired each other, amused each other, and imitated each other,” the King will note, reinforcing his message of unity, respect, and partnership.
