For the first time in 17 years, the President of the Republic went to the United Kingdom as part of a state visit on Tuesday, July 8. During the first of his three days of stay, Emmanuel Macron notably spoke a speech to the Westminster Palais and tonight tonight with the king and queen of England.
Upon arrival at the Northolt Air Base, the presidential couple was received by Kate and the heir prince William. It is “an important moment for our nations” and “It is also an important moment for our Europe,” said Emmanuel Macron in X.
A Brexit first
This visit to the symbolic state is the first for a leader of a European Union country in the United Kingdom of Brexit.
They were then invited to a welcome ceremony in the streets of Windsor, east of London. In the presence of King Carlos III and Queen Camilla, they attended a military parade in the famous castle, chosen instead of the Buckingham Palace due to the renovations of the latter.
During the ceremony, Marseille was played. In addition to the festive nature, this visit is also very supervised. 950 soldiers of the three armed bodies will accompany this official visit.
A speech to British parliamentarians
Emmanuel Macron and the king checked the troops together during a ceremony in the courtyard of the castle, before going to lunch in the company of their wives, William and Kate and other guests.
President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron were guided by Reverend David Stanton during a visit to Westminster Abbey in London. Subsequently, for more than half an hour, the President of the Republic spoke before the British parliamentarians in the Westminster Palais.
During his speech, he mentioned in particular the situation in the Middle East, demanding “a high fire” in Gaza, but also the immigration and departure of the United Kingdom of the European Union.
The British decision to abandon the European Union is “deeply unfortunate”, but we respect it, “he added. The head of state, who spoke to the deputies and lords, also emphasized that” the efforts to face the challenges faced by Europe cannot limit themselves only to the European Union. “
A meeting with Starmer this Wednesday
This visit comes in a context of reaffirming links between the European Union and the United Kingdom since the election of Keir Starmer as Prime Minister.
After dinner tonight with King and Queen, Emmanuel Macron must see, the next day, the British Prime Minister for a meeting at Downing Street. The rest of the day will continue with a summit in AI and then a dinner in the city of London. Finally, a summit on cooperation in defense and the fight against illegal immigration is scheduled for Thursday.
Source: BFM TV
