Macron vows to tackle migration ‘challenge’ during UK state visit: Live

Overnight the King has experienced a burst blood vessel in his right eye which is said to be unrelated to any other health conditions.

The royal couple chatted to guests on the dais in Windsor as the military band trumpeted out uplifting tunes ahead of the Macrons’ arrival.

The King and Queen arrived by car at Dachet Road in Windsor after travelling from the castle ready to meet Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron.

Cheers erupted from the crowd as the state limousine made its way slowly down to the dais to the sound of the national anthem.

The Queen is wearing a bright emerald green chiffon dress by Anna Valentine and a hat by Philip Treacy.

Camilla is also wearing an emerald and diamond brooch that belonged to the late Queen.

The King and Emmanuel Macron will travel together through Windsor in the 1902 State Landau, followed by the Queen and Brigitte Macron in the Semi-State Landau, Buckingham Palace announced.

The third carriage, the Ascot Landau, will carry the Prince and Princess of Wales who will accompany France’s armed forces minister Sebastien Lecornu and French culture minister Rachida Dati.

The final two Ascot Landau carriages will ferry 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.

The King and Quuen will formally greet their guests on a Royal Dais constructed on Datchet Road in Windsor town centre, with the castle in the backdrop as gun salutes sound in nearby Home Park.

Charles, Camilla, the Waleses and Mr and Mrs Macron will then take a carriage procession through Windsor and along part of the Long Walk which leads to the castle, just as former French president Nicolas Sarkozy did in 2008.

A ceremonial welcome will be staged in the castle’s quadrangle with Camilla, William, Kate and Mrs Macron watching as the King and Mr Macron inspect the Guard of Honour.

Lunch will be hosted in the State Dining Room, after which the president and his wife, the King and Queen and members of the royal family will view a special exhibition of items relating to France from the Royal Collection in the Green Drawing Room.

Mr and Mrs Macron will also travel to London on Tuesday afternoon to see the Grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey and visit the Palace of Westminster where the French leader will address parliamentarians before meeting opposition leaders at Lancaster House.

The King and president will both deliver speeches at the banquet in the medieval St George’s Hall, where some 160 guests will be seated at the elaborately decorated 50 metre table, which will run the full length of the vast room.

Emmanuel Macron said his visit to the UK was “an important moment for our two nations” as he promised “effective” action on issues including migration.

He said: “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 co-operation in a concrete, effective and lasting way.”

The Prince and Princess of Wales have arrived at RAF Northolt ready to welcome President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte.

Kate was wearing French fashion house Christian Dior and a hat by Jess Collett.

Her earrings belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales and the pearl necklace was from the late Queen’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.

Blue, white and red flowers in two large urns in honour of the King’s French guests decorate the specially constructed red-carpeted royal dais outside Windsor and Eton Riverside station.

Cleaners were seen vacuuming the steps of the covered structure, which offers a view of the castle where the famous round tower was flying a celebratory oversized Royal Standard.