King Charles spotted with painful-looking red eye after suffering burst blood vessel ahead of Macron state visit
It is understood the Monarch’s right eye was affected overnight, and is said to be unrelated to any other health conditions.
It comes as Mr Macron kissed Princess Kate’s hand as the UK rolled out the red carpet to mark the first UK state visit in 17 years.
A carriage procession with the royals to Windsor Castle then unfolded through the High Street and up the Long Walk.
The King and Mr Macron travelled together through Windsor in the 1902 State Landau.
They were followed by the Queen and Brigitte Macron in the Semi-State Landau, Buckingham Palace announced.
In the third carriage, the Ascot Landau, ferried Kate and Wills, who accompanied France’s armed forces minister Sebastien Lecornu and French culture minister Rachida Dati.
The final two Ascot Landau carriages transported French officials including Helene Duchene, the French ambassador to the UK, and General Fabien Mandon, chief of the military staff.
The processional route, lined through the town by the armed forces, takes in Datchet Road, Thames Street High Street, Park Street, Cambridge Gate, George IV Gateway to the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle.
Security was heightened with an enhanced police presence and teams inspecting the area around the castle and checking locations such as flower planters.
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead said earlier: “We are working closely with Thames Valley Police, the Crown Estate and other key partners, to minimise disruption to those that live and work in, or plan to visit Windsor”.
A ceremonial welcome is now taking place at the castle, and inspection of the Guard of Honour.
It comes after the French president, and his wife Brigitte, were greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales at RAF Northolt this morning.
They were then welcomed in Windsor by the King and Queen, with the French president kissing Camilla’s hand.
As they stood chatting, Mr Macron also placed his hand on the King’s back as part of a warm welcome.
Mrs Macron greeted the Queen with “la bise” – the customary French greeting of a double cheek air kiss.
The royal party and their guests stood still for the French national anthem.
Mr Macron and the King later chatted as Household Cavalry made their way down the road and the open-top carriages arrived.
Charles led Mr Macron into the landau and chuckled as they chatted while taking their seats.
But the visit is likely to spark anger among voters who believe France is doing little to help stem the flow of small boats across the Channel – despite receiving £500m over three years from the UK to do so.
It comes as a new migration deal with France is set to be signed this week – with fears Labour will send them even more money.
Mr Macron’s three-day state visit will culminate in a summit with Sir Keir Starmer on Thursday, where a proposal would see France agree to take back a small boat migrant in return for Britain accepting one of their asylum seekers.
The PM’s spokesman has not ruled out more cash being handed to Paris in addition to the £480million already paid.
Meanwhile, later this afternoon the French president will then have lunch with the Royal Family, ahead of wreath laying at West Minister Abbey.
This is to honour the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, before Macron will deliver an address to Parliamentarians in the Royal Gallery at the Palace of Westminster.
The leader will later greet Kemi Badenoch and Sir Ed Davey at Lancaster House.
The Monarch is then set to hold a state banquet where he will hail the relationship between France and the UK in the face of a “multitude of complex threats”.
Mr Macron’s state visit to the UK, from July 8 to 10, is the first to be hosted at Windsor Castle, rather than Buckingham Palace, in a more than a decade.
It is also the first French state visit to the UK in 17 years since that of the now disgraced former French president Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008.
In a personal touch, the King and Queen will, tomorrow show the Macrons Fabuleu de Maucour.
The 10-year-old grey gelding was gifted by Mr Macron to known horse-lover, late Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
Fabuleu de Maucour belonged to the largely ceremonial French Republican Guard and was trained to carry the standard-bearer.
They will also view a Charabanc carriage from the Royal Mews, which was a present to Queen Victoria from King Louis-Philippe of France in 1844.
And the Macrons will privately pay their respects at the late Queen’s tomb in St George’s Chapel by laying flowers in tribute.
Charles will later give the president a tour of the Windsor Castle Gardens.
RED CARPET WELCOME
As the doors of the plane opened at RAF Northolt earlier today, the president made his way down the steps first followed by the first lady, where they were met by the ambassador of the French Republic, Helene Duchene.
Mr and Mrs Macron were welcomed by William and Kate.
The president warmly shook the prince’s hand and held onto his arm as they chatted.
Mr Macron then took the princess’s hand and delivered a gallant air kiss towards it.
Kate stepped out in elegant design by French fashion house Christian Dior and a hat by Jess Collett.
In a touching nod to her late mother-in-law, Kate wore earrings that belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales.
And, to pay homage to the late Queen Elizabeth, she donned the pearl necklace was from the late Monarch’s collection.
The Christian Dior jacket is the 30 Montaigne Rose Des Vents Bar Jacket and a piece from the 2024 collection.
It was reimagined by Maria Grazia Chiuri, who was inspired by the original first created in 1947 by Christian Dior himself.
Others in the welcoming committee were Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, RAF Northolt station commander Group Captain Jonathan Hough, the King’s ambassador in Paris Dame Menna Rawlings.
Ahead of his visit, the French president said: “This is an important moment for our two nations” as he promised “effective” action on issues including migration.
He said: “The United Kingdom is a strategic partner, an ally, a friend. Our bond is longstanding, forged by history and strengthened by trust.
“Together, we will address the major challenges of our time: security, defence, nuclear energy, space, innovation, artificial intelligence, migration, and culture.
“These are all areas in which we seek to act together and deepen our co-operation in a concrete, effective and lasting way.”
