Princess Kate Middleton receives sweet gesture from Emmanuel Macron during UK state visit
The French President and his wife arrived in the UK this morning
Prince William and Kate Middleton greeted Emmanuel Macron for the French President’s UK state visit, taking on a “lead role” in proceedings. But a photo of the President kissing the Princess of Wales’ hand isn’t quite what it seems.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were at RAF Northolt this morning to greet Macron and his wife, Brigitte, with Kate gradually getting back to royal duties following her cancer diagnosis and subsequent chemotherapy.
It’s not yet been confirmed whether she’ll be attending the banquet at Windsor Castle’s St George’s Hall this evening, during which King Charles is set to make a speech and reaffirm the close ties between the UK and France. It comes as the princess trying to “find the right balance” with her return to work.
President Macron arrives for state visit
Macron will receive a ceremonial welcome at the castle this afternoon, and will enjoy lunch with the royal family ahead of laying a wreath at Westminster Abbey to honour the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. He will then address parliamentarians in the Royal Gallery at the Palace of Westminster before greeting Kemi Badenoch and Sir Ed Davey, the Conservative and Liberal Democrat leaders respectively.
The United Kingdom is a strategic partner, an ally, a friend.
He’ll also be speaking closely with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, the two leaders co-hosting a summit on Thursday (July 10).
Ahead of his visit, Macron described it as an “important moment for our two nations,” adding: “The United Kingdom is a strategic partner, an ally, a friend. Our bond is longstanding, forged by history and strengthened by trust.
“Together, we will address the major challenges of our time: security, defence, nuclear energy, space, innovation, artificial intelligence, migration, and culture.
“These are all areas in which we seek to act together and deepen our cooperation in a concrete, effective and lasting way.”
Tomorrow, Charles and Queen Camilla will show the Macrons Fabuleu de Maucour, the horse that Macron gifted to Queen Elizabeth in 2022 to mark her Platinum Jubilee. He belonged to the French Republican Guard and was trained to carry the standard-bearer.
The Macrons will also pay their respects to the queen in private at her tomb in St George’s Chapel by laying flowers.
Macron ‘kisses’ Kate Middleton’s hand
Social media had mixed reactions to President Macron ‘kissing’ Kate Middleton’s hand this morning, however, it turned out to be an air kiss instead. There was no contact with the head of state merely giving a gesture to the royal.
However, there were more warm welcomes when the President and his wife arrived to meet King Charles and Queen Camilla. Macron copied the same gesture with Camilla’s hand, and Charles embraced Brigitte’s hand when they met.
To greet Macron, Kate made a nod to her late in-laws, wearing earrings that belonged to Princess Diana and a pearl necklace from Queen Elizabeth II’s collection. She paired them with a Christian Dior jacket and a Jess Collett hat.
Kate Middleton returning gradually after cancer treatment
Last week, before Kate Middleton welcomed Macron alongside Prince William, she discussed her recovery after cancer treatment. She visited the RHS Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital in Essex, meeting with NHS staff and planting Catherine’s Rose flowers in the recovery garden.
She told workers: “You know, I think there’s a lot of brave-faced stoicism through treatment, but then treatment’s done.
“I think the phase afterwards is really difficult, I mean, you know, you’re not necessarily in a clinical team any longer, but you’re not able to function normally at home as you once used to.
You have to find your new normal and that takes time.
“And actually, someone to help talk you through that, show you and guide you through that phase that comes after treatment, I think it’s really valuable to have a space like this here for patients.”
She continued: “But it’s life-changing for anyone, through first diagnosis or post-treatment and things like that. It is a life-changing experience both for the patient, but also for the families as well.
“And actually it sometimes goes unrecognised. You don’t necessarily – particularly when it’s the first time – appreciate how much impact it is going to have.
“You have to find your new normal and that takes time…and it’s a roller coaster. It’s not one smooth plain, which you expect it to be … You go through hard times and to have a place like this to have the support network, through creativity and singing or gardening, whatever it might be, is so valuable. And it’s great this community has it – it would be great if lots of communities had this kind of support.”
Read more: Princess Kate Middleton’s ‘secret’ appearance after Royal Ascot absence
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