French president Emmanuel Macron is expected to be granted a state visit to the UK ahead of US President Donald Trump’s anticipated trip in September – as the Labour Government looks to strengthen ties with Europe.
According to The Sunday Times, the French president has received an invitation from the King to visit Britain at the end of May.
The details of the engagement remain closely held, with only a small number of government and royal officials informed.
The development follows comments from the US president suggesting that Buckingham Palace was “setting a date for September” for a meeting with King Charles, amid reports that he is planning to travel to the UK later this summer.
French premier Emmanuel Macron is expected to be granted a state visit to the UK ahead of US President Donald Trump’s anticipated trip in September – as the Labour Government looks to strengthen ties with Europe
Getty
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has repeatedly maintained that fostering a closer relationship with Europe does not come at the expense of strengthening trade ties with the United States.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is scheduled to visit Washington next week for the International Monetary Fund meetings.
While there, she is expected to raise the possibility of a broader economic agreement aimed at countering the impact of Trump’s proposed 10 per cent tariff on all imports to the US.
Ministers have also emphasised the need for deeper cooperation with European partners to safeguard the UK’s economic interests.
MORE LIKE THIS:
Meanwhile, Starmer and Macron have been working closely on defence matters.
This included a proposed Anglo-French-led “coalition of the willing” to support any future peace settlement in Ukraine.
During a visit to the White House in February, Starmer delivered what he described as a “truly historic” personal invitation from the King to Trump, offering a second state visit.
Speaking in the Oval Office last week, the US President said: “They’re going to do a second, as you know, a second fest… that’s what it is: a fest, and it’s beautiful, and it’s the first time it’s ever happened to one person.
Starmer and Macron have been working closely on defence matters
N/C
“And the reason is we have two separate terms, and it’s an honour … I’m a friend of Charles, I have great respect for King Charles and the family, William, we have really just a great respect for the family.”
In the past, US presidents who had already made a state visit – such as George W. Bush and Barack Obama – typically met the monarch for tea or lunch at Windsor Castle.
Reports have suggested the venue of the state visit for both Macron and Trump will most likely be Windsor Castle due to renovations at Buckingham Palace.
Downing Street declined to comment.
