Starting his state banquet speech in French, the King welcomed Macron before remarking that much has happened since his own royal tour of France in 2023. The UK and France "have stood ever closer since then", he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Britain on Tuesday (July 8), for the first state visit by a European leader since Brexit in a trip aimed at celebrating the return of closer political ties between the countries.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday urged Britain to stick close to its neighbors despite its exit from the European Union, saying France and the U.K. will “save Europe” by standing for democracy,