Windsor: King Charles III is set to receive French President Emmanuel Macron at Windsor Castle today in what is being heralded as a historic moment: the first state visit to the United Kingdom by a European leader since Brexit. The three-day visit represents more than ceremonial pageantry it is a deliberate gesture to reset and rejuvenate Britain’s ties with France and the broader European continent after years of political friction.
This marks President Macron’s inaugural state visit to the UK, although he shares a warm personal rapport with King Charles. The last time a French president was granted a state visit was in 2008, when Nicolas Sarkozy visited Queen Elizabeth II. Today’s event, filled with royal tradition and diplomatic symbolism, seeks to revive the spirit of cross-Channel camaraderie that has waned in recent years.
Since the election of Prime Minister Keir Starmer in 2024, Britain has been actively pursuing diplomatic repair work with its European allies. The state visit underscores the shared intent of London and Paris to mend the strained relations that were exacerbated during the Brexit negotiations a time when France, observers note, took on the role of the “tough negotiator.”
The visit arrives at a moment when global geopolitics is shifting. With the United States stepping back from its traditional European security role, both Britain and France are seeking to bolster mutual cooperation, particularly in defense, economic recovery, and efforts to curtail illegal immigration across the English Channel.
The ceremonial welcome is rich in grandeur. Prince William and Princess Catherine received the Macrons at a London military airbase before escorting them to Windsor. There, King Charles and Queen Camilla welcomed them with military salutes and a procession through the town. A formal lunch with the royal family at Windsor Castle followed, setting the tone for a state banquet later in the evening where both leaders are expected to deliver addresses.
The first day, though wrapped in regal tradition, sets the foundation for deeper political talks that will unfold over the next two days.
At the heart of the diplomatic discussions is the shared challenge of managing the surge in asylum seekers crossing the Channel in small boats. Britain is pushing for a bilateral “returns pilot scheme” in which each nation would return one asylum seeker while accepting another whose claim is valid. The goal is to break the smuggling networks profiting from illegal crossings.
Though France has historically been reluctant, preferring an EU-wide framework, London hopes the goodwill generated by this visit might nudge Paris toward an agreement. With Prime Minister Starmer under pressure from rising anti-immigrant rhetoric and the growing popularity of Reform UK’s Nigel Farage, a policy breakthrough is both politically urgent and diplomatically valuable.
Macron’s visit will culminate in a UK-France summit on Thursday, where both leaders are expected to finalize discussions on Ukraine support, nuclear investment (including the Sizewell C project), and broader economic partnerships.
This renewed closeness comes after years of visible discord, ranging from post-Brexit fishing disputes to France’s exclusion from the AUKUS submarine alliance. In contrast, Macron’s presence in the UK now signals a turning point a move away from tension toward renewed trust.
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s memoir, published last year, accused Macron of seeking to punish Britain for leaving the EU. Today, however, King Charles and President Macron are writing a new chapter one defined not by division, but by shared goals, historical ties, and forward-looking diplomacy.