Accompanied by his wife, Brigitte, the president was welcomed at Windsor Castle by King Charles III, marking the first visit by a French head of State to British soil in 17 years, following former President Nicolas Sarkozy’s visit in 2008.

Bilateral relations have historically been tense, with added complications in the last five years following the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union (EU), particularly regarding immigration and fishing.

However, Paris-London ties have improved in the last few years, after King Charles III visited France in September 2023 and Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s assumption of office.

Macron expects to address the British Parliament, based at the Palace of Westminster in London, this Tuesday, and to co-host a France-UK Summit with Starmer.

According to diplomatic sources, the conflict in Ukraine will be an important part of the discussions between the French president and the host prime minister, leaders who share a hostile stance toward Russia and a push for Kiyiv’s rearmament.

jdt/iff/lam/wmr