Macron due in U.K. for state visit as London tries to balance ties with Europe, U.S.

French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron are owed to get successful London connected Tuesday (July 8, 2025) for a authorities visit, hosted by Britain’s monarch Charles III and the Queen, Camilla. This is the archetypal European caput of authorities to beryllium hosted by King Charles connected a authorities sojourn and an denotation that the ties betwixt London and Paris, which were nether strain owed to Britain’s departure from the EU, person thawed. The King and Queen were past hosted by the Macrons successful Paris successful September 2023.

While concern is transacted during authorities visits, the ceremonial aspects and authorities meal are instruments of the big country’s brushed powerfulness and utilized to bolster civilization ties betwixt the countries. The three-day sojourn volition culminate successful a acme level gathering led by Mr. Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer connected Thursday (July 10, 2025). The sojourn comes astatine a clip erstwhile the U.K. is trying to equilibrium its ties with the EU and the U.S., arsenic U.S. President Donald Trump has overseen a downgrading of ties betwixt the U.S. and E.U.

Also Read | United Kingdom’s Starmer convenes ‘coalition of the willing’ for 2nd gathering to sermon Ukraine

Anglo-French information and defence ties, which are governed by the Lancaster House treaties of 2010, volition beryllium updated during the summit, arsenic per a connection by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot successful France’s National Assembly. Mr. Barrot cited London and Paris cooperating connected Ukraine’s defence (by starring a radical of mostly European countries called the ‘Coalition of the Willing’).

He besides mentioned the 2 countries coordinating responses connected Iran on with Germany, which, according to him, paved the mode for negotiations (i.e., the June 20 negotiations successful Geneva). Mr. Barrot besides highlighted practice connected the situation successful Sudan. The sojourn volition besides spot politically delicate issues discussed — specified arsenic sportfishing and migration. The U.K. and the EU precocious concluded an statement allowing reciprocal entree to sportfishing waters until 2038.

Also Read | European leaders consult Trump, past hold associated effect to Russian foot-dragging successful truce talks

On Tuesday (July 8, 2025), the French archetypal mates volition beryllium welcomed connected accomplishment by the Prince William and Catherine Middleton, the Prince and Princess of Wales earlier being taken to Windsor Castle, conscionable extracurricular London, wherever they volition beryllium hosted by the King and Queen. The sojourn volition see a carriage thrust done the municipality of Windsor and a State dinner. Mr Macron is scheduled to code the U.K. Parliament connected Wednesday (July 9, 2025).

Mr. Trump, who has expressed a fondness for the British Royal Family, has besides been invited to the U.K. connected a authorities visit, his 2nd specified visit, since 2019, erstwhile helium was hosted by Queen Elizabeth. Mr. Trump’s 2nd sojourn is expected successful September, though nary dates person been announced.