French President Emmanuel Macron and Princess Kate Middleton shared a moment that has now become one of the most talked-about highlights from the state banquet held at Windsor Castle. As the cameras rolled during a formal toast at the July 8 gala dinner, Macron was spotted winking at the Princess of Wales – a blink-and-miss gesture that quickly went viral on social media.
The banquet marked the first official French state visit to the United Kingdom in 17 years and saw a high-profile guest list. President Macron, seated between Princess Kate and King Charles III, offered a courteous gesture as he helped pull out the Princess’s chair and waited for her to be seated before taking his own place.
The warm exchange between the two began even before the dinner, when Macron and his wife Brigitte landed at RAF Northolt on Tuesday.
The Prince and Princess of Wales greeted the French couple on the tarmac. In a notable moment, Macron greeted Kate with a kiss on her hand – a gesture that raised some eyebrows but did not breach royal protocol.
According to the royal family’s official website, “There are no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting The Queen or a member of the Royal Family,” allowing individuals to opt for traditional greetings like a curtsy or a neck bow, or simply a handshake.
The seating arrangement at Windsor Castle placed spouses on opposite sides of the grand banquet table. While King Charles, President Macron, and Princess Kate sat on one side, Prince William sat across from his wife, next to Brigitte Macron, who was flanked by Queen Camilla.
The elegant dinner was also attended by a star-studded guest list including Mick Jagger, Elton John and his husband David Furnish, Kristin Scott Thomas, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
During his toast, King Charles welcomed the French guests and celebrated the evolving relationship between the two nations. “This evening, we have drunk English sparkling wine made by a French champagne house. This would have been scarcely believable to at least some of our predecessors,” he remarked.
President Macron also addressed the room, stressing the importance of continued unity between France and the United Kingdom. “On either side of the channel, there is a constant reminder that we must never lower our guard,” he said.
However, it was Macron’s playful wink at Kate that stole the spotlight, drawing both curiosity and amusement online. Their brief exchange stood in stark contrast to recent headlines involving the French President’s relationship with his wife.
Just weeks ago, during an official tour of Vietnam, Brigitte Macron was seen in a tense moment where she appeared to slap the President during a disagreement – partially caught on camera – further fuelling speculation about strains in their marriage.
When Macron and his wife disembarked their jet at RAF Northolt, he had offered her his hand to help her down the stairs, but she declined. He then warmly greeted Prince William with a handshake and placed his hand on the Prince’s arm as they spoke, before turning to Kate with an air kiss.
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