The Prince and Princess of Wales looked as loved up as they found time for several tender moments during the first day of the French president’s visit to the UK
Prince William and Princess Kate shared several secret loved-up moments during the first day of the French state visit. As the Prince and Princess of Wales joined to meet the French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte, the royal couple stole a brief moment of intimacy.
William and Kate met with Macron at the RAF Northolt before heading to Windsor Castle, where the French leader received an official welcome and later joined King Charles to inspect the Guards of Honour. As the official welcome ceremony began, William and Kate were snapped having a sweet moment together, as William held his wife’s hand in support as she walked down the stairs.
The royal couple then stood together under a marquee as the inspection of the guards took place, as Kate put a loving hand on William’s back while she smiled brightly at her husband.
The small but charming moment caught the attention of royal fans, who were quick to comment on the rare intimate exchange on social media. One fan wrote: “Such beauty, character & class. They are a charming couple”, while another person added: “What a sweet moment they shared!”
Others were quick to point out the stark contrast between the loved-up royal couple and the seemingly tense Macrons, who have had a number of awkward moments on the first day of the state visit.
In only a matter of hours on the first day of the state visit, French president Emmanuel Macron was seemingly snubbed on two separate occasions by his wife Brigitte.
As the couple disembarked their private jet, Brigitte rejected taking her husband’s hand to steady herself on the stairs, instead using the handrail and ignoring Emmanuel’s help.
Later in the day, as the Macrons walked into Windsor Castle alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla, Emmanuel once again reached for his wife’s hand in an affectionate moment, only to be dismissed once more.
Today marks the first day of the three-day state visit, with Macron and Brigitte also joining King Charles and Queen Camilla for a viewing of the Royal Collection exhibition at Windsor Castle later.
The King and president will both deliver speeches at a state banquet this evening in the medieval St George’s Hall at the Castle, where some 160 guests will be seated at the elaborately decorated 50 metre table, which will run the full length of the vast room.
Macron’s trip marks the first state visit to the UK by an EU head of state since Brexit, and has also saw Macron address parliamentarians in the Palace of Westminster’s Royal Gallery and, on Thursday, he will join a UK-France Summit at Downing Street.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has signalled a “reset” in relations between the UK and Europe as he looks to heal the wounds caused by the Brexit years.
Defence, growth, security, migration and French tactics on tackling small boats will be discussed, with the two leaders expected to dial in to speak to other allied nations who are looking to support any future peace deal in Ukraine.