According to reports, Emmanuel Macron is set to be granted a state visit to the UK before Donald Trump’s expected visit in September.
French president Emmanuel Macron received an invitation from the King to travel to the UK at the end of May, according to The Sunday Times.
Little detail is known about the arrangements for the visit, which would be the first state visit for Mr Macron to Britain and occur eight years after he took office.
Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump. Pic: Reuters
‘Trump-fest’
Following Donald Trump’s suggestion that Buckingham Palace is “setting a date for September” for his meeting with the King.
He noted: “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.”
Alleged Plans
Mr Macron’s visit is also set from Windsor; this follows the refurbishment at Buckingham Palace.
Past Presidents
Typically, US presidents are invited for tea or lunch with the monarch at Windsor Castle.
Sir Keir Starmer extended a personal invitation to Trump during his visit to the White House in February.
Reports suggest the venue for Trump’s visit may be Windsor Castle and not Balmoral or Dumfries House as was previously thought.
Refurbishments at Buckingham Palace make Windsor Castle the anticipated venue for Mr Macron’s visit as well.
Rest of Sky News:
Analysis of Starmer’s approach to trade with a Trump-led US
Starmer insists that a closer relationship with Europe doesn’t exclude strengthening US-UK trade.
Rachel Reeves will discuss the prospect of a wider economic agreement with US counterparts to mitigate the effects of Trump’s tariffs.
Nonetheless, ministers maintain that Britain should enhance coordination throughout Europe to protect the economy.
Source: https://news.sky.com/story/macron-to-beat-trump-to-uk-state-visit-report-13352238
