There were carriages, a profusion of uniforms, exceptional jewels, and the gilding of the House of Lords. Even the weather cooperated, with brilliant sunshine over London and Windsor. Everything was in place on Tuesday, July 8, for the first day of President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to the United Kingdom. The aim was to demonstrate the enduring bond between Paris and London by deploying the full pomp of the British monarchy. The two countries, which fought wars for centuries, have coexisted peacefully since the Entente Cordiale of 1904. Now, in the face of mounting geopolitical threats, they are seeking to move beyond the tensions generated by Brexit in 2020.

The day began at RAF Northolt, a military base west of London, where the French president and first lady were greeted by Prince William and Catherine. The British media emphasized this as a special gesture, especially because Catherine, who is currently in remission from cancer, was dressed head-to-toe in Dior.

The procession went straight to Windsor, decked out with British and French flags, where Macron and King Charles III took their seats for a short parade in the "1902 State Landau" – a carriage that was specially built for the coronation of Edward VII, Elizabeth II's great-grandfather – before disappearing behind Windsor Castle's high walls to the sound of "La Marseillaise."

You have 55.56% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.