Macron state visit live: Charles calls on Britain and France to ‘lead the way’ in face of ‘complex threats’

Emmanuel Macron has delivered a speech mostly in French but in English he spoke about France’s loan of the Bayeux Tapestry which will go on display at the British Museum next year.

Speaking at the state banquet at Windsor Castle, he said: “For the first time in 900 years the Bayeux Tapestry will follow the same path as the warriors whose stories it tells and land on British soil.

“Either they were never made or they were lost – those final scenes of the tapestry are missing.

“I see that as (an) even more powerful symbol in the great mural of Franco-British history, the end has yet to be written.”

The King has spoken of the deepening co-operation between the UK and France that will protect against “profound challenges” such as terrorism, organised crime and “irregular migration” across the English Channel.

In a speech marking President Emmanuel Macron’s three-day state visit to the UK, Charles highlighted a summit between Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the French leader when commentators expect the issue of small boats to be top of the agenda.

The King also spoke of the growing environmental threat where the “very future of our planet hangs in the balance” and the UK and France have a “critical role to play”.

The Queen was dressed in an ivory silk and crepe embroidered evening gown by Fiona Clare, and a sapphire and diamond tiara, necklace, earrings and bracelet, all part of Queen Elizabeth II’s sapphire suite.

The Queen was also wearing the Legion d’Honneur French sash, Garter Star and the King’s family order.

Sir Mick Jagger and Sir Elton John topped the star-studded guest list for the French state banquet hosted by the King at Windsor Castle.

The Rolling Stones’ front man was joined by his fiancee Melanie Hamrick, while Crocodile Rock singer Sir Elton was accompanied by his husband David Furnish for the opulent royal celebration.

Sir Elton, who is known for hosting his own annual white-tie and tiara charity ball, was among the 160 guests who gathered at the King’s royal white-tie affair in honour of French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte.

Both musicians have homes in France and Sir Elton also has a home in nearby Old Windsor.

Sir Elton famously sang Candle In The Wind, rewritten as Goodbye England’s Rose, at the funeral of the King’s first wife Diana, Princess of Wales, and he has a close bond with the Duke of Sussex – Charles’s youngest son with whom the King has a troubled relationship.

Celebrity guests seen making their way into the vast St George’s Hall for the state banquet at Windsor Castle included Rolling Stones’ frontman Sir Mick Jagger, dressed in smart white tie and morning suit, and his fiancee Melanie Hamrick, who wore a glittering silver gown.

Also among the 160 guests were Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish.

Others at the banquet were former England goalkeeper Mary Earps, who now plays for Paris Saint-Germain, actress Dame Kristin Scott Thomas and First Dates’ Fred Sirieix.

Earps was seen shaking hands and laughing with prime minister Sir Keir Starmer before the start of the dinner as they stood and chatted.

The Princess of Wales is wearing a dark red silk creponne gathered evening gown, with caped back detailing, designed by Sarah Burton for French fashion house Givenchy, and the Lover’s Knot tiara to the French state banquet.

Kate was carrying a lily of the valley embroidered evening clutch and wearing the Rosette of Grand Officier l’ordre nationale du merite, the Royal Family Orders of Charles III and Elizabeth II, the Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order and GCVO sash and star.

William was dressed in white tie, with the Most Noble Order of the Garter Sash with the Lesser George, miniature medals and a series of chest orders.

The royal couple were pictured smiling together outside in the gardens of Windsor before the banquet in an image posted on Kensington Palace’s social media.

The royal family has spoken of a “L’Entente Cordiale in the Kitchens!”.

In a post on X, alongside a photograph of French chef Raymond Blanc preparing food for the state banquet, they said: “Chef @Raymond_Blanc OBE, an ambassador for the @KingsFdn, was invited to join the chefs at Windsor Castle to create the First Course and Dessert for this evening’s State Banquet menu.”

The impressive St George’s Hall, where the dinner is being served, is the largest room in the castle at 55.5 metres long (180ft) and nine metres wide (29.5ft), and the 50 metre (164ft) table stretches its full length.

The castle’s staff began constructing the mahogany table last Wednesday, and it now set with the elaborate silver gilt Grand Service.

The hall’s gothic style ceiling with impressive oak beam roof is studded with the coats of arms of every single Knight of the Garter since the order was founded in 1348.

Its walls and ceiling were decimated in the Windsor Castle fire of 1992 and had to be painstakingly rebuilt.

Delicate seasonal flowers including roses, sweet peas and herbs in a colour scheme of pale pinks, purples and white decorated the table, handpicked from the gardens at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, along with flowers and lavender from The Savill Garden in Windsor Great Park, all arranged in silver-gilt centrepieces taken from the Grand Service.

Following the state banquet, the King and Queen and the Macrons and guests will move to the Music Room for a performance by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.