Charles warns small boats crisis is a ‘profound challenge' as he hosts Macron at state banquet ahead of migrant ‘deal'
In his 15-minute long speech the King addressed the small boats crisis and spoke about a range of cross channel collaborations including in defending Ukraine.
2
2
Charles said at a speech at the state banquet: 'Our security services and police will go further still to protect us against the profound challenges of terrorism, organised crime, cyber-attacks and irregular migration across the English Channel.'
The King warned earlier this week that Britain cannot be a fortress despite 'complex threats' and challenges that 'know no borders'.
The deal came as the French President Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte flew into RAF Northolt in West London yesterday, where they were met by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
They later joined the King and Queen for a procession in Windsor town centre before Charles welcomed the French President to Windsor Castle for a glitzy state banquet.
Attendees straight from the A-list at descended on historic St George's Hall last night.
There were around 160 guests, among them fellow royals including Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, who were pictured arriving ahead of the festivities.
Mick Jagger and Sir Elton John topped the star-studded guest list last night.
It comes as Macron has again offered to loan the Bayeux Tapestry to Britain once more.
The fragile 70 metre (230ft) cloth depicts the events leading up to the conquest of England by William the Conqueror in 1066 and the Battle of Hastings.
Kate dazzles as she arrives at glitzy state banquet with William & Charles after rolling out red carpet for Macron
However, the tapestry announcement has been eclipsed by crunch talks on the Channel migrant crisis, which are going right down to the wire before a summit between Mr Macron and Sir Keir this week.
A deal is expected to confirm new French tactics of puncturing small boats in the shallows, while a 'one in, one out' returns agreement is still in the balance.
That arrangement is likely to centre on small boat migrants being returned to France in exchange for asylum-seekers who have family in the UK.
The deal has provoked a fresh row over cash, with Mr Macron expected to demand more money on top of the £480million already handed over since 2023 for his country to help stop small boat crossings.
Despite the costs to taxpayers mounting as crossings reached a record rate this year, No10 has refused to rule out stumping up more cash for the French.
Meanwhile, a one in, one out migrant agreement with France has still not been finalised and talks are expected to go down to the wire, it has emerged.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
15 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
JD Vance greeted by Palestine protesters as he begins holiday in Scotland
He was greeted at the resort by dozens of pro-Palestine protesters, who accused him of supporting a 'genocide' by Israel in Gaza. Police officers surrounded protesters (Craig Meighan/PA) The demonstrated were kettled by police as they bashed pots and pans, waved Palestine flags and shouted pro-Palestine chants. Police had initially told the protesters they would need to move and that officers would do so if they refused to leave to a different space nearby. Airspace restrictions are in place around the estate until Sunday. Dozens of pro-Palestine protesters turned up at the resort (Craig Meighan/PA) Mr Vance will reportedly spend five days in Scotland – the same amount of time his boss did during his trip to the country last month. President Trump split his stay between his golf courses in South Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire, during which time he met the First Minister and Prime Minister. A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: 'This visit requires a significant police operation and we have appropriate resources in place using local, national and specialist officers from across Police Scotland.' US vice president JD Vance disembarked from an official US plane at Prestwick Airport earlier in the evening (Jane Barlow/PA) Mr Vance had been holidaying in the Cotswolds, but travelled to the Foreign Secretary's Chevening House retreat in Kent on Friday – and he joined David Lammy for a spot of carp fishing at the countryside estate. Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Vance described the UK-US relationship as 'a beautiful alliance' during a speech at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
The Independent
30 minutes ago
- The Independent
BBC apologises to Jenrick over suggestions he is xenophobic in Radio 4 broadcast
The BBC has apologised to Robert Jenrick after a refugee charity boss suggested the shadow justice secretary is xenophobic during Radio 4's Today programme. Mr Jenrick has accused the broadcaster of smearing 'millions of worried citizens as 'xenophobic' for their completely understandable fears'. While appearing on the radio on Wednesday, Krish Kandiah, a director of Sanctuary Foundation, claimed Mr Jenrick had increased 'fear of the stranger' among people. Mr Kandiah added: 'The technical name for this is xenophobia. 'All phobias are by definition irrational. Nevertheless, they have a huge impact. 'Over the past year, xenophobia has fuelled angry protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers, deepening divisions in our communities.' In a letter to the Conservative MP, the broadcaster's head of editorial standards Roger Mahony said the comments went 'well beyond' what is expected of its Thought For The Day segment. Mr Mahony said: 'I have concluded that, while its reflection on fear in society from a faith perspective is broadly in line with expectations of Thought For The Day, some of the language it used went beyond that. 'I have asked for the two references to xenophobia to be edited from the programme on BBC Sounds. Please accept my apology for their original inclusion.' The content has since been removed from the programme on BBC Sounds. Mr Jenrick said: 'Illegal migration is obviously fuelling crime and the public are right to be concerned about it. 'It's extremely disappointing the BBC thought it was acceptable to smear millions of worried citizens as 'xenophobic' for their completely understandable fears about undocumented men entering illegally.' A series of protests have been held outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, over recent weeks after an asylum seeker was accused of attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl. Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, denies the charges of sexual assault and is due to stand trial this month. In a statement, the BBC said: 'During this episode of Thought For The Day, criticism was made of recent comments by shadow secretary of state for justice Robert Jenrick, about hotels housing asylum seekers. 'While the programme's reflection on fear in society from a faith perspective was broadly in line with expectations of Thought For The Day, some of the language used went beyond that and we apologise for its inclusion. 'It has been removed from the version on BBC Sounds.'
Daily Mail
30 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Great British Bake Off future of hosts and judges confirmed as Prue Leith is missing from the new trailer
Great British Bake Off is gearing up for its return - but one familiar face is noticeably absent from its brand-new trailer. The much-loved baking competition has become an autumn TV tradition, drawing in millions each year for a mix of spectacular showstoppers and kitchen disasters. With the next series just weeks from hitting screens, Channel 4 has dropped a first look at the action inside the famous white tent, unveiling the official host and judge line-up. However, Prue Leith, a long-standing member of the judging panel, is nowhere to be seen in the teaser. In the latest Great British Bake Off's trailer, Joe Wilkinson takes on the role of the narrator, which features a space-themed twist. The clip shows baking ingredients floating through space before hosts Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond appear as animated characters. joe can be heard joking: 'From it grew life, intelligent life, adorned in knitwear and leopard print.' Inspired by the Big Bang, the trailer replaces dust and gas with an explosion of flour, sugar and cakes, ending with the image of judge Paul Hollywood's blue eye. While Prue does not feature in the trailer, though Channel 4 has confirmed she will be part of the new series. They said: 'As the ovens fire up and a new batch of bakers steps into the iconic tent to face Paul and Prue, audiences can expect all the classic ingredients - warmth, humour, creativity, and just the right amount of competition. 'This autumn, let the universe of Bake Off pull you in once again. Because, as the trail says, once there was nothing, and then there was Bake Off.' This year's series doesn't yet have a confirmed release date, but it has been teased as 'soon'. Prue's absence from the trailer comes weeks after speculation from fans about her future on the show. She's been at the helm of Great British Bake Off since 2017, but earlier this year, she said this year's series could be her last. The 85-year-old told The Mail on Sunday she was 'very keen' to step away from the popular Channel 4 show before she was pushed, and 'might stop next year'. The filming schedule, which involves long hours under the summer sun at Welford Park in Berkshire, is taking its toll on the television chef. She said: 'I'm doing this year's Bake Off, and I don't know if this will be my last. I've got to stop some time, so I might stop next year. 'I thought I'd just see how I go this year, because I definitely feel a bit older this year than I did last year. 'Things like getting out of a chair takes me longer than it used to. I don't like big steps without a handrail. None of these things worried me two years ago – I could run upstairs – and so I'm very keen to leave Bake Off before I'm asked to leave. 'But on the other hand, I really enjoy it.' Prue is also a co-host of US spin-off The Great American Baking Show, and is weighing up leaving that programme too. She took over the role of judge on the competition in 2017, when Dame Mary Berry, 89, stood down. The star has also outlasted the programme's hosts Sandi Toksvig, 66, who co-presented the show from 2017 to 2019, and Matt Lucas, 50, who served from 2020 to 2022.
