King Charles emphasizes bonds between UK and France as he welcomes Macron in first European state visit since Brexit

By Lauren Said-Moorhouse and Catherine Nicholls, CNN

London (CNN) — King Charles III highlighted the crucial bonds between the United Kingdom and France in the face of a “multitude of more complex threats,” as he welcomed President Emmanuel Macron for the first state visit by a European leader to his country since Brexit.

The French leader’s three-day visit to the UK kicked off on Tuesday and saw Charles and Queen Camilla host Macron and his wife Brigitte at Windsor Castle, with a glittering banquet at the royal residence in the evening.

In his toast on Tuesday evening, the King praised the strength of Anglo-French relationship, telling Macron that the ties between their countries “extend beyond friendship into family.”

“Our two countries face a multitude of more complex threats, emanating from multiple directions,” Charles said. “As friends and as allies, we face them together.”

Charles reflected on the “shared history and culture between our two peoples” in the toast, which he delivered in a mix of French and English.

Those at the banquet were served English sparkling wine made by a French champagne house, which the King said was an example of the kinds of “remarkable rapprochements” that exist between the two countries.

The dinner menu included a selection of summer vegetables, chicken with asparagus and cream, and an iced blackcurrant parfait, according to Buckingham Palace. Arrangements by musicians including Vivaldi, Debussy, Lewis Capaldi, Daft Punk, and Dua Lipa were also recited, it said.

Earlier in the day, the Macrons were greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales on their arrival at RAF Northolt, west of London, and traveled together to Windsor where they were treated to a full ceremonial welcome by the King and his wife.

Rolling out the red carpet for the first visit by a French president to the UK since 2008, the pomp and pageantry that Britain is known for was on full display. The King pulled out all the stops for Macron’s visit, with a carriage procession through the streets of Windsor to the historic castle.

King Charles welcomed the Macrons on the dias in Windsor, chatting with the president and kissing the first lady’s hand. Charles then led the royal party to the waiting open-top carriages – with the monarch and Macron riding in the 1902 State Landau.

Later, after traveling from Windsor to Westminster in London, the French president laid a wreath at the grave of the Unknown Warrior, a memorial to those who died in World War One.

On Tuesday afternoon, British members of parliament gathered in the Palace of Westminster’s Royal Gallery, where Macron emphasized the strong ties between his country and the UK, cracking a joke that French people “love monarchy – especially when it’s not at home.”

Macron called for the recognition of a Palestinian state, urging that a two-state solution is “the only way to build peace and stability for all in the whole region.” He also reiterated the need for the UK and France to work together on issues such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, migration, technology and trade.

In a post on X ahead of his state visit, Macron said “the United Kingdom is a strategic partner, an ally, a friend. Our bond is longstanding, forged by history and strengthened by trust.”

Macron’s visit comes just under two years after Charles and Camilla visited France in September 2023 and seeks to “demonstrate the depth of the ties between our two countries and peoples,” according to the Elysee Palace.

In the days ahead, the French leader will hold several meetings with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer as the pair seek to heal wounds after years of Brexit-fueled animosity.

Their talks are expected to focus on support for defense and security cooperation as well as tackling illegal migration across the Channel. On Thursday, the pair will join a UK-France Summit at Downing Street.

Support for Ukraine will also be a priority for the two leaders as they seek to build momentum around their “Coalition of the Willing” – the European peacekeeping force created in March. They are also expected to visit a military base in northwest London where they will dial into a meeting of the informal group of nations working to bolster support for Ukraine.

Both leaders have faced political challenges at home amid an increasing fractured landscape, and have suffered from decreasing popularity in recent polls. It’s likely they’ll be hoping the visit offers a much-needed, if fleeting, boost.

Major deals on Ukraine and curbing migrant boat crossings seem unlikely but even more humble announcements would illustrate a further resetting of the relationship between the two nations.

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CNN’s Max Foster and Pierre Bairin contributed reporting to this story.