On Tuesday, July 8, 2025, the United Kingdom will host a significant diplomatic event as French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, arrive for a state visit. The visit, which runs from July 8 to July 10, marks the first French state visit to the UK since 2008 and will be centered at Windsor Castle, a departure from the traditional Buckingham Palace setting due to ongoing renovations. A highlight of the visit will be a ceremonial carriage procession through Windsor, featuring the King and Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Macrons, showcasing the strong ties between the UK and France. This article delves into the details of the visit, its significance, and the roles of the royal family, particularly the Princess of Wales, who is making a measured return to public duties following her cancer recovery.

A Warm Welcome at RAF Northolt

The state visit will commence with a personal greeting from the Prince and Princess of Wales, who will meet President Macron and Madame Macron at RAF Northolt, an airbase northwest of London. This marks an unusual but significant departure from tradition, where the heir to the throne typically greets visiting heads of state at their London residence before accompanying them to Horse Guards Parade. Instead, the Prince and Princess, acting on behalf of King Charles, will accompany the French delegation by car to Windsor Castle, approximately 15 miles away. This gesture underscores the importance of the visit and the close relationship between the royal family and the Macrons.

The Princess of Wales, Catherine, aged 43, has been gradually returning to public life after a challenging year marked by a cancer diagnosis in early 2024, followed by preventative chemotherapy. She announced in January 2025 that she was in remission, and her participation in this high-profile event is a testament to her resilience and commitment to her royal duties. Her presence alongside her husband, Prince William, highlights their growing roles as key figures in British diplomacy.

Ceremonial Splendor in Windsor

Upon arrival in Windsor, King Charles and Queen Camilla will formally welcome the Macrons on a specially constructed Royal Dais on Datchet Road, with Windsor Castle providing a majestic backdrop. The ceremony will be punctuated by a Royal Salute fired in Home Park, Windsor, and simultaneously at the Tower of London, nearly 30 miles away, symbolizing the significance of the occasion. The King, Queen, Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Macrons will then participate in a carriage procession through the town, traveling along part of the Long Walk to Windsor Castle. This procession, a hallmark of state visits, is designed to showcase Britain’s ceremonial grandeur and is expected to draw significant public attention.

At Windsor Castle’s Quadrangle, a Guard of Honour will perform a Royal Salute, and the regimental band will play the French and British national anthems. King Charles, accompanied by President Macron, will inspect the Guard of Honour, while Queen Camilla, the Princess of Wales, Prince William, and Madame Macron observe. The group will then witness a military rank and march past, further emphasizing the ceremonial military capabilities of the UK. This carefully choreographed welcome underscores the diplomatic importance of the visit and the mutual respect between the two nations.

A Day of Diplomacy and Tradition

Following the ceremonial welcome, the royal family and their guests will retire to the State Dining Room for a private lunch, joined by other members of the royal family. This intimate setting provides an opportunity for informal discussions and strengthens personal ties between the hosts and their guests. After lunch, the group will view a special exhibition in the Green Drawing Room, featuring items from the Royal Collection with connections to France, such as artworks and historical artifacts that reflect the long-standing relationship between the two countries.

In the afternoon, the Macrons will travel to London to visit Westminster Abbey, where they will lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, a customary gesture during state visits. President Macron will also address parliamentarians in the Royal Gallery at the Palace of Westminster and meet opposition leaders at Lancaster House, reinforcing the political dimension of the visit. These engagements highlight the multifaceted nature of state visits, which combine ceremonial, diplomatic, and political elements to foster international cooperation.

The day will culminate in a glittering state banquet at Windsor Castle’s St George’s Hall, hosted by King Charles. Both the King and President Macron will deliver speeches, reflecting on the shared history and future aspirations of the UK and France. While the Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to attend, Kensington Palace has not confirmed the Princess’s participation in the evening event, given her cautious approach to resuming public duties. Her absence from the state banquet during the Qatari state visit in December 2024 suggests she may prioritize daytime engagements to manage her recovery.

Personal Touches and Historical Connections

The second day of the visit, Wednesday, July 9, will feature several poignant and personal moments. The King and Queen will take the Macrons to see Fabuleu de Maucour, a 10-year-old grey gelding gifted by President Macron to Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 for her Platinum Jubilee. The horse, trained by the French Republican Guard, holds sentimental value, and its inclusion in the visit is a nod to the late Queen’s love of horses and her warm relationship with Macron. The group will also view a Charabanc carriage from the Royal Mews, a gift from King Louis-Philippe of France to Queen Victoria in 1844, further emphasizing the historical ties between the two nations.

In a private moment, the Macrons will visit St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle to lay flowers at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II, a gesture that reflects Macron’s admiration for the late monarch. President Macron has spoken openly about his respect for Queen Elizabeth, and this act of tribute underscores the personal rapport he has developed with the royal family.

King Charles, as Ranger of Windsor Great Park, will also lead President Macron on a tour of Windsor Castle’s gardens, highlighting areas of nature restoration and biodiversity. This aligns with the King’s passion for environmental sustainability and mirrors Macron’s interest in ecological initiatives, as evidenced by their recent meeting at an environmental event in Monaco on June 8, 2025.

Broader Engagements and Diplomatic Significance

On Wednesday, the Macrons will return to London for a series of engagements. President Macron will visit Imperial College London to view an AI and Emerging Technology Innovators Exhibition, engaging with academics and researchers. He and Madame Macron will also join Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Lady Starmer for lunch at 10 Downing Street, followed by a UK-France summit on Thursday, July 10, to discuss bilateral issues. These activities underscore the state visit’s role in advancing diplomatic and economic ties, particularly in areas like technology and innovation.

In the evening, the Lord Mayor and the City of London Corporation will host a second banquet at Guildhall, attended by the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester on behalf of the King. This event will further cement the cultural and economic connections between the UK and France, with the French delegation engaging with British civic leaders.

The state visit is a reciprocal gesture following King Charles and Queen Camilla’s state visit to France in September 2023, which strengthened the personal and diplomatic bonds between the two nations. The warm rapport between the King, Queen, and the Macrons, as well as Macron’s recent interactions with Prince William, including at the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on December 7, 2024, highlights the continuity of this relationship.

The Princess of Wales’s Return to Public Life

The Princess of Wales’s participation in the state visit is particularly noteworthy given her health challenges. During a recent visit to the RHS Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital, she spoke candidly about the “rollercoaster” of her cancer recovery, emphasizing the difficulty of transitioning to a “new normal” after treatment. Her decision to join the carriage procession and daytime engagements reflects her commitment to her role, even as she takes a measured approach to public appearances. Her absence from Royal Ascot in June 2025 and the state banquet during the Qatari visit in December 2024 indicate a strategic focus on high-impact, daytime events that align with her recovery.

The Princess’s involvement also underscores her growing stature as a future queen. Her presence alongside Prince William, who has been taking on increasing responsibilities as heir to the throne, signals their readiness to represent the monarchy on the global stage. Their warm interactions with the Macrons, including at a G7 reception in 2021 and the Monaco environmental event, demonstrate their ability to foster international relationships.

A Milestone for Windsor Castle

This state visit is the first to be hosted at Windsor Castle since the Irish president’s visit in 2014, a shift necessitated by the ongoing refurbishment of Buckingham Palace. The choice of Windsor, with its historic significance and picturesque setting, adds a unique dimension to the visit, reinforcing the monarchy’s adaptability. The arrangements are likely to serve as a template for future state visits, including that of U.S. President Donald Trump in September 2025, though security considerations may alter the format.

Conclusion

The French state visit from July 8 to 10, 2025, is a celebration of the enduring partnership between the UK and France, brought to life through the pomp and circumstance of royal hospitality. The carriage procession through Windsor, led by the King, Queen, Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Macrons, will be a visual testament to this alliance. For the Princess of Wales, the event marks a significant step in her return to public life, balancing her recovery with her duties as a senior royal. As the UK rolls out the red carpet for the Macrons, the visit will strengthen diplomatic ties, honor shared history, and look forward to a collaborative future.