Latest news with #FrenchTricolor
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.
Daily Mirror
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Kate makes huge decision on attending glitzy state banquet in Palace update
The Princess of Wales will join the state banquet during the French state visit tonight - marking her first one back since her cancer diagnosis. The King and Queen will host French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte in a lavish dinner at Windsor Castle as part of the leader's state visit. It will be staged in the medieval St George's Hall and the King will stress the vital partnership between France and the UK in the face of a 'multitude of complex threats', declaring 'as friends and as allies, we face them together' in a speech. Kate, who is in remission from cancer, had not been confirmed to attend the white tie dinner, where royal ladies are expected to wear tiaras and formal gowns. However, Kensington Palace has now said the princess will be there later alongside her husband Prince William. Last year during the Qatar state visit to the UK, Kate attended the day time events, but did not attend the state banquet at Buckingham Palace with the rest of the Royal Family. She last made an appearance at a grand royal dinner 20 months ago in November 2023, in honour of the South Korean president. It will mark the end of a busy day for the Prince and Princess of Wales who were on hand to greet Mr and Mrs Macron at RAF Northolt this morning as they touched down in the UK. Kate carried out the royal duty just days after opening up about her 'rollercoaster' cancer recovery, its life-changing impact and putting on a 'brave face' last week. She channelled diplomatic royal dressing choosing to wear French fashion house Christian Dior for the celebratory occasion. Her earrings belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales and the pearl necklace was from the late Queen's collection. The Christian Dior jacket is the 30 Montaigne Rose Des Vents Bar Jacket and a piece from the 2024 collection. It was reimagined by Maria Grazia Chiuri, who was inspired by the original first created in 1947 by Dior himself. Kate's hat was by Jess Collett. The president warmly shook the William's hand and held onto his arm as they chatted. Mr Macron then took the princess's hand and delivered a gallant air kiss towards it. On travelling to Windsor, King Charles and Camilla warmly greeted the French leader and the first lady on a specially constructed Royal Dais near the town's Windsor and Eton Riverside train station, with the castle in the backdrop. The French guests were driven in a ceremonial carriage procession through streets of Windsor lined with troops from the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force. Crowds gathered in the town centre, decked in the French Tricolor and British Union Flags as the procession made its way to Windsor Castle. Bands from all three services played music to honour the visiting nation and celebrated centuries of combined history with the UK. The procession finished in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle, where Nijmegen Company Grenadier Guards and F Company Scots Guards provided a large Guard of Honour with two State Colours on parade. The King then led the President from the specially constructed dias to inspect the troops in the Quadrangle as the Massed Band of the Grenadier Guards and the Scots Guards played 'L'Entente Cordiale'. Following the Inspection, The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, The Captain's Escort of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and the foot guards Guard of Honour marched past The King and The French President as the Massed Band played 'Hielan Laddie' and 'The British Grenadiers'. The troops exited the Quadrangle via King George IV Gate and returned to Barracks. Be first to get the biggest royal bombshells and exclusives to your phone by joining our . We 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. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Or sign up to the to get all the biggest royal news and exclusive pictures, straight to your inbox.
08-07-2025
- Politics
Pomp, pageantry, politesse greet Macron in display of British royals' soft power
LONDON -- 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 Macron's 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.
Toronto Star
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Pomp, pageantry and politesse greet French President Macron in display of British royals' soft power
LONDON (AP) — 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.
Winnipeg Free Press
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Pomp, pageantry and politesse greet French PM Macron in display of British royals' soft power
LONDON (AP) — 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 Macron's 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. What's happening 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. 'Cherry on the top' 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. Pomp and ceremony 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. Lingua franca 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.
