The French president, and his wife Brigitte, were greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales at RAF Northolt earlier today – with Mr Macron kissing Kate’s hand.

But the visit is likely to spark anger among voters who believe France is doing little to help stem the flow of small boats across the Channel – despite receiving £500m over three years from the UK to do so.

It comes as a new migration deal with France is set to be signed this week – with fears Labour will send them even more money.

Mr Macron’s three-day state visit will culminate in a summit with Sir Keir Starmer on Thursday, where a proposal would see France agree to take back a small boat migrant in return for Britain accepting one of their asylum seekers.

The PM’s spokesman has not ruled out more cash being handed to Paris in addition to the £480million already paid.

Mr Macron lay a wreath at Westminster Abbey this afternoon, alongside the First Lady and Reverend David Stanton.

This was to honour the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, before Macron will deliver an address to Parliamentarians in the Royal Gallery at the Palace of Westminster.

The leader will also later greet Kemi Badenoch and Sir Ed Davey at Lancaster House.

The appearance followed a luncheon with members of the Royal Family.

After lunch in the State Dining Room, the King led the Macrons through a set of gilded double doors into the Green Drawing Room to see a display of items from the Royal Collection related to France.

“These are just some items from the Royal Collection,” the King said.

The Prince and Princess of Wales also joined the viewing to see artefacts, which included a gold snuff box which belonged to Marie Antoinette.

On show was a Louis XIII Cognac in a Baccarat Cristal decanter, as served to King George VI and his wife Queen Elizabeth during the July 1938 State Visit, and later to Queen Elizabeth II in April 1957.

The King suggested to the president they have a tipple of the historic drink later on.

Caroline de Guitaut, surveyor of the King’s works of art, said afterwards: “The cognac was a talking point. There was suggestion they should have a glass. I think this came from the King.”

This came after a carriage procession with the royals to Windsor Castle unfolded through the High Street and up the Long Walk.

The King and Mr Macron travelled together through Windsor in the 1902 State Landau.

They were followed by the Queen and Brigitte Macron in the Semi-State Landau, Buckingham Palace announced.

In the third carriage, the Ascot Landau, ferries Kate and Wills, who accompanied France’s armed forces minister Sebastien Lecornu and French culture minister Rachida Dati.

The final two Ascot Landau carriages transported French officials including Helene Duchene, the French ambassador to the UK, and General Fabien Mandon, chief of the military staff.

The processional route, lined through the town by the armed forces, takes in Datchet Road, Thames Street High Street, Park Street, Cambridge Gate, George IV Gateway to the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle.

Security was heightened with an enhanced police presence and teams inspecting the area around the castle and checking locations such as flower planters.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead said earlier: “We are working closely with Thames Valley Police, the Crown Estate and other key partners, to minimise disruption to those that live and work in, or plan to visit Windsor”.

And, a ceremonial welcome took place at the castle, and inspection of the Guard of Honour.

Nearly 400 military personnel from the Army, RAF and Royal Navy lined the High Street along the ceremonial route and a 41-gun salute sounded in nearby Home Park in Mr Macron’s honour to mark his arrival.

Military bands played both British and French music for the crowds, while a Captain’s Escort of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, rode Irish chargers, formed a Guard of Honour.

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The royal couple beamed side-by-sidCredit: Getty
The Monarch is later this evening set to hold a state banquet where he will hail the relationship between France and the UK in the face of a “multitude of complex threats”.

Mr Macron’s state visit to the UK, from July 8 to 10, is the first to be hosted at Windsor Castle, rather than Buckingham Palace, in a more than a decade.

It is also the first French state visit to the UK in 17 years since that of the now disgraced former French president Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008.

In a personal touch, the King and Queen will, tomorrow show the Macrons Fabuleu de Maucour.

The 10-year-old grey gelding was gifted by Mr Macron to known horse-lover, late Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.

Fabuleu de Maucour belonged to the largely ceremonial French Republican Guard and was trained to carry the standard-bearer.

They will also view a Charabanc carriage from the Royal Mews, which was a present to Queen Victoria from King Louis-Philippe of France in 1844.

And the Macrons will privately pay their respects at the late Queen’s tomb in St George’s Chapel by laying flowers in tribute.

Charles will later give the president a tour of the Windsor Castle Gardens.

As the doors of the plane opened at RAF Northolt this morning, the president made his way down the steps first followed by the first lady, where they were met by the ambassador of the French Republic, Helene Duchene.

Mr and Mrs Macron were welcomed by William and Kate.

The president warmly shook the prince’s hand and held onto his arm as they chatted.

Mr Macron then took the princess’s hand and delivered a gallant air kiss towards it.

Kate stepped out in a design by elegant French fashion house Christian Dior and a hat by Jess Collett.

In a touching nod to her late mother-in-law, Kate wore earrings that belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales.

And, to pay homage to the late Queen Elizabeth, she donned the pearl necklace was from the late Monarch’s collection.

The Christian Dior jacket is the 30 Montaigne Rose Des Vents Bar Jacket and a piece from the 2024 collection.

It was reimagined by Maria Grazia Chiuri, who was inspired by the original first created in 1947 by Christian Dior himself.

Others in the welcoming committee were Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, RAF Northolt station commander Group Captain Jonathan Hough, the King’s ambassador in Paris Dame Menna Rawlings.