The Prince and Princess of Wales put on a very affectionate display this morning as they welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte to the UK for their three-day state visit.
Kate, 43, joined her husband Prince William to greet their guests at RAF Northolt in west London, undertaking the role on behalf of King Charles, before travelling by car to Windsor Castle.
After arriving at Windsor, the prince and princess were seen putting on a very affectionate display, with William offering a gentlemanly hand to help his wife down the steps.
As they attended the ceremonial welcome at Datchet Road, the couple chatted freely, with Kate placing her hand on William’s back.
And, in images that contrasted starkly to Mrs Macron’s snub of her husband as she refused his hand while disembarking their jet, the Princess of Wales looked lovingly into her husband’s eyes during the formal proceedings.
Speaking to MailOnline, body language expert Judi James said that where Brigitte appeared to ‘reject and even ignore’ her husband, the Waleses showed a ‘pitch-perfect example’ of formal etiquette and affection.
Judi said: ‘It’s made very clear via some role-modelling that she’s not adhering to any UK cultural norms by refusing her husband’s hand.
‘William and Kate performed a pitch-perfect example of how to perform the ritual when William held his hand out as Kate descended some steps and she placed her hand in his in an act of smoothly-choreographed affection and compliance.’
The Princess looked lovingly into her husband’s eyes during today’s formal proceedings
As they attended the ceremonial welcome at Datchet Road, the couple chatted freely, with Kate placing her hand on William’s back
Last week, Buckingham Palace confirmed Kate would be playing a significant part in the visit – after she spoke openly about the challenges she has faced as she recovers from cancer treatment and finds a ‘new normal’.
Today, the Princess of Wales paid tribute to French designers in a timeless Dior outfit.
The royal mother-of-three was immaculately dressed for the occasion in a Christian Dior jacket, adding a hat by Jess Collett, Princess Diana‘s earrings and a pearl necklace from the late Queen’s collection.
The 30 Montaigne Rose Des Vents Bar Jacket is a piece from the 2024 Collection. It was reimagined by Maria Grazia Chiuri who was inspired by the original, which was first created in 1947 by Christian Dior himself.
Meanwhile William, also 43, was smartly turned out in a formal suit.
After the Macrons travelled to Windsor with Kate and William, Charles and Camilla formally greeted their guests on a Royal Dais constructed on Datchet Road in the town, with Windsor Castle in the backdrop as gun salutes sound in nearby Home Park.
The King, the Queen, the Waleses and Mr and Mrs Macron then took 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 on his visit in 2008.
Upon arrival in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle, a Guard of Honour will give a Royal Salute and the regimental Band will play the French and British National Anthems.
As they attended the ceremonial welcome at Datchet Road, the couple chatted freely, with Kate placing her hand on William’s back
Emmanuel Macron (2nd L) and his wife Brigitte Macron (L) are greeted by Prince William – after the French President appeared to be snubbed by his wife upon arrival
Kate and William appeared in bright spirits as they were seen laughing together
William reached out a gentlemanly hand to help Kate down the steps
The Princess of Wales received a greeting from President Macron after they touched down in the UK
The President, accompanied by The King, will then inspect the Guard of Honour, before rejoining The Queen and Mrs Macron.
Together with The Prince and Princess of Wales, the entire party will then view the military Rank and March past.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, The King and Queen will lead their guests into the castle for a private lunch in the State Dining Room, for which they will be joined by other members of the Royal Family.
Afterwards Their Majesties will invite The President and Mrs Macron to view a special exhibition of items relating to France from the Royal Collection in the Green Drawing Room.
This afternoon, the French President and his wife will travel to London to visit Westminster Abbey to lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, and take a short tour of the Abbey church.
They will also visit Parliament where President Macron will address MPs before holding meetings with the leaders of all major political parties.
The Macrons will then return to Windsor, where they are staying, to prepare for a glittering State Banquet in St George’s Hall.
There, the King will pay tribute to 1,000 years of ‘shared history’ between Britain and France.
While Prince William greeted the French president, Kate was seen in conversation with his wife
Meanwhile William, also 43, was smartly turned out in a formal suit
Kate wore her brown locks loose with a light and elegant curl
The Princess of Wales added Princess Diana’s earrings and a necklace from the late Queen’s collection
Catherine, Princess of Wales on the day of the state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron
The Princess of Wales paid tribute to French designers in a timeless Dior outfit this morning
Wearing French designers as a tribute to her guests today, the royal mother-of-three was immaculately dressed for the occasion in a Christian Dior jacket
Catherine, Princess of Wales, sits in a car as she leaves after welcoming France’s President Emmanuel Macron and his wife
The Macrons are travelling to Windsor Castle with William and Kate
Kate and William are playing a major role in this week’s State Visit and welcomed the French president and his wife on behalf of King Charles
Brigitte Macron looked energetic following her flight to the UK, greeting the Princess of Wales
Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron are greeted by William and Kate at RAF Northolt this morning
Charles will also highlight the ‘multitude of complex threats’ faced by the two nations which, he will say, we tackle together ‘as friends and allies’ in his speech at a glittering State Banquet.
The monarch will also reference the challenges both countries are facing that ‘know no borders’, according to Buckingham Palace.
Sources advised it would be wrong to say it that this is reference to the channel crossings and small boats issue, but added that the king is referring to a ‘multitude’ of threats to Britain and France’s shared values touching on – but not limited to – defence, technology and climate change. Ukraine will also be at the forefront of his mind.
In his speech the King will say: ‘For centuries our citizens have admired each other, amused each other, and imitated each other’.
He will also reference how he personally remains ‘in awe of France’s extraordinary attributes and achievements.’
Charles will also state that this partnership remains vital in facing the many challenges of today, saying that ‘our two countries face a multitude of complex threats, emanating from multiple directions. As friends and as allies, we face them together’.
‘These challenges know no borders: no fortress can protect us against them this time’.
The visit is being hosted at the 1,000-year-old castle because of major refurbishment work at Buckingham Palace.
The last time such a visit was held there was more than a decade ago, in 2014.
But sources said it will be no less special, and that the history and relative intimacy of Windsor makes for a stunning backdrop.
Kate made it clear last week that she plans to continue with a slow and measured return to public life for the rest of the year, after openly admitting how tough she has found the last year.
The future Queen was diagnosed with cancer early last year following major abdominal surgery and underwent preventative chemotherapy. She announced in January that she was now in remission.
At a public engagement at Colchester Hospital on Wednesday the princess spoke further of the ‘rollercoaster’ experience of being a cancer patient and her surprise at how difficult she found it to return to ‘normal’ after her treatment had finished.
Tellingly, she referred to the challenges of putting on a ‘brave face’ in public when life was so tough behind the scenes.
Speaking to patients and volunteers inside the centre, she said: ‘There is a whole phase when you finish your treatment, everybody expects you to be better – go! But that’s not the case at all.’
She said: ‘You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment. Treatment’s done, then it’s like “I can crack on, get back to normal” but actually the phase afterwards is really difficult.
‘You’re not necessarily under the clinical team any longer but you’re not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to.
‘And actually someone to help talk you through that, show you and guide you through that sort of phase that comes after treatment I think is really valuable.’
She added: ‘You have to find your new normal and that takes time.’
