King to host President Macron on first state visit - and why it's such a big deal

Buckingham Palace announced the president has accepted the King's invitation and will visit from 8-10 July.

Mr Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, will stay at Windsor Castle.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said a UK-France summit will happen during their visit "to grow our economies, safeguard borders and bolster our security".

State visits are grand ceremonial affairs and usually include a carriage ride and a lavish state banquet.

It will be the first state visit of a French president since March 2008, when Nicolas Sarkozy was invited by the late Queen. He also stayed at Windsor Castle.

The Macrons hosted King Charles and Queen Camilla on a state visit to France in September 2023.

It was meant to be his first state visit as monarch but was postponed due to protests, and he visited Germany, then Romania, ahead of France.

The King and Queen were also hosted by Mr Macron in June 2024 when they attended events to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, but that was not a state visit.

The following month, Charles was seen greeting the French president at the European Political Community meeting at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.

The offer of a state banquet is a big deal. They are seen as the ultimate diplomatic gift that the United Kingdom can give, as we quite literally roll out the red carpet for countries we really want to keep on side.

It's why there was so much debate about Trump being given his second and Sir Keir Starmer seeming in such a rush to extend the invitation.

But after reports last month that Emmanuel Macron may get a state visit first, it has now been confirmed that the French President and his wife will be heading to Windsor Castle before the US President.

It will be Macron's first state visit, but his bromance with King Charles goes way back to when he was Prince of Wales, particularly spending time together on events related to the environment.

But this is more than just the King inviting round an old friend.

It shows that, as well as wanting to stay in Trump's good books, Europe also remains a priority for the government. We have seen it recently, with Prince William deployed to Estonia and the King and Queen sent to Italy.

A state visit for Macron reinforces that message of friendship, as international relationships have been turned on their head by the American visitor, who will also potentially be heading through the gates of Windsor Castle sometime soon.

Charles, 78, was diagnosed with cancer early last year and has been continuing his duties while undergoing treatment.

The King is due to host US President Donald Trump after Sir Keir Starmer gave him an invite in February, but a date for the trip has not yet been announced.

-SKY NEWS