Buckingham Palace has announced French President Emmanuel Macron will be treated to a lavish State Visit, hosted by The King at Windsor Castle, in July.
A red carpet welcome, military processions, and a magnificent State Banquet will take place amidst a backdrop of a complicated geopolitical landscape.
Just yesterday, 600 small boat migrants left the French coast, and arrived illegally in the UK - there are calls for the French government to do more to stop them crossing the English Channel in the first place.
Just last week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, President Macron, and German chancellor Friedrich Merz travelled to war-torn Ukraine in support of President Zelenskyy as he continues to fight off Russia's invasion.
The King inviting a foreign Head of State for a State Visit is a unique card the Prime Minister has to play.
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There's also the global turmoil caused by President Donald Trump's eyewatering tariffs, although the UK Government has negotiated exemptions on car imports, steel and aluminium.
This is perhaps why the timing of the State Visit is so significant, the first by a French President post-Brexit and two years on from the King's successful visit to Paris and Bordeaux.
The King invites a foreign Head of State for a State Visit on advice of his Government, a unique card the Prime Minister has to play.
It is this so-called 'soft power' of the British monarchy which can strengthen relationships between two nations.
Buckingham Palace has announced French President Emmanuel Macron will be treated to a lavish State Visit, hosted by The King at Windsor Castle, in July.
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When Sir Keir Starmer dangled a carrot in front of the US President in February, in the form of a royal invitation to his own State Visit, he was widely praised for his diplomacy.
Perhaps the promise of King Charles rolling out the red carpet for President Trump played a part in the subsequent trading negotiations.
However, President Trump's State Visit to the UK is not expected until September, meaning the French President will supersede him by two months.
It is unclear how President Trump will react to the perception the British Government is prioritising relations with the European Union over the United States; however, I understand the French State Visit was planned before His Majesty extended an invitation to President Trump.
It will also be another opportunity for the United Kingdom and France, two NATO allies, to stand shoulder to shoulder in the face of continued Russian aggression in Eastern Europe.
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The King will host His Excellency Emmanuel Macron and Mrs Macron from Tuesday 8th July to Thursday 10th July 2025.
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The Royal Family is well accustomed to 'buttering up' a foreign Head of State with pomp and pageantry, ahead of tough political negotiations.
I suspect President Macron will make at least one visit to 10 Downing Street during his time in the United Kingdom.
Although The King can promote the shared cultures and customs between the United Kingdom and France, His Majesty stays well clear of politics.
It is up to the British Government to capitalise on this unique asset for the benefit of the British people.
The King will host His Excellency Emmanuel Macron and Mrs Macron from Tuesday 8th July to Thursday 10th July 2025.
