French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to the UK was meant to showcase diplomatic unity, but an awkward moment between him and First Lady Brigitte Macron stole the spotlight. As the royal family extended a warm welcome, a subtle yet pointed gesture hinted at deeper tensions, captivating onlookers and raising questions about the French first couple’s dynamic.

Summary

• Brigitte Macron publicly humiliates husband during UK visit.
• The incident echoes a recent plane altercation weeks ago.
• Royals host Macrons with grace despite awkward moment.
• King Charles emphasizes UK-France unity at state banquet.
• Event highlights tensions in Macron’s personal image.

Brigitte’s Cold Rejection 

On Tuesday, as the Macrons arrived at RAF Northolt for a three-day state visit, Brigitte Macron, 72, visibly snubbed her husband’s outstretched hand while descending from their jet. Opting for the handrail, she left President Macron, 47, momentarily stranded, his gesture unreciprocated. Body language experts were quick to note the chill. 

“Brigitte Macron repeatedly ‘rejected’ her husband’s gesture, leaving him visibly awkward,” an analyst told the Daily Mail. 

The latest event follows a May incident where Brigitte appeared to shove her husband’s face while disembarking from a flight. A video captured by an Associated Press camera operator shows the French president stepping into the doorway of the plane during a visit to Hanoi. 

His wife’s hand seems to push him, causing a brief stumble before he regains his balance and waves. The French president played down the altercation while noting that he and his wife were “joking around, as we do quite often.”

Royals Maintain Poise 

Despite the Macrons’ awkward moment, Prince William and Kate Middleton greeted the couple with characteristic grace, representing King Charles III. Kate, radiant in a Christian Dior jacket, honored French culture, earning praise from royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams: “Kate’s choice of Dior was a brilliant show of diplomacy.” 

The royals escorted the Macrons to Windsor Castle, where Charles and Queen Camilla hosted a ceremonial welcome with gun salutes and a carriage procession. The Macrons’ tension contrasted sharply with the royals’ composed hospitality.

Charles’ Call for Unity 

At the state banquet, King Charles, undeterred by a minor burst blood vessel in his eye, delivered a stirring toast. 

“Our two countries face a multitude of complex threats, emanating from multiple directions. As friends and as allies, we face them together,” he said, underscoring centuries of UK-France ties. 

The event included a cultural exhibit with Kate and William joining French Culture Minister Rachida Dati to view treasures like a Shakespeare folio.

Diplomatic Stakes and Public Image 

The visit, the first by an EU leader post-Brexit, includes Macron addressing Parliament and attending a UK-France Summit. Republicans lauded the royals’ professionalism, with Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) telling Fox News, “The royals showed how to rise above petty drama.” 

For Macron, however, Brigitte’s repeated public rejections—on the plane weeks ago and now in the UK—cast a shadow over his diplomatic efforts, leaving observers wondering about the state of France’s first couple.