Kate Middleton and Prince William are taking on a major royal role as they start the French state visit to the U.K.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, both 43, were the first members of the British royal family to welcome French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, to the country on July 8, officially kicking off the visit. The royal couple greeted the Macrons at RAF Northolt, an airbase located in Greater London, upon their arrival in England around 11:00 a.m. local time.
For the occasion, Kate wore Christian Dior for the first time — a soft blush 30 Montaigne Bar Jacket from the iconic French fashion house’s 2024 collection, reimagined by creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri.
The piece pays tribute to Dior’s iconic 1947 “New Look,” which emphasized feminine tailoring and structure. She paired it with a matching hat by Jess Collett, pearl earrings that once belonged to Princess Diana and a pearl necklace from the late Queen Elizabeth’s collection.
By choosing to wear Dior for the first time, the Princess of Wales offered a quiet nod to France’s cultural legacy — a subtle display of sartorial diplomacy.
As heir to the throne, Prince William often takes on important hosting duties on behalf of his father, King Charles. Princess Kate is often by her husband’s side, and they’ve been repeatedly tapped to welcome foreign guests to state banquets. The couple did so during the Qatar state visit in December, with Kate making a rare appearance amid her cancer treatment. The royal mom of three announced in January that she was in remission but candidly spoke about the “really difficult” phase that comes after treatment ends during her July 2 visit to Colchester Hospital.
After their greeting, the Macrons and the Prince and Princess of Wales will travel together to Windsor, where the French President and his wife will be formally welcomed by King Charles and Queen Camilla. A royal salute will be fired in the Home Park in Windsor as well as at the Tower of London.
President Macron, 47, and his wife, 72, will then join the King, 76, and Queen, 77, in a carriage procession through the town to Windsor Castle, where Prince William and Princess Kate will also ride in a separate horse-drawn coach.
Upon their arrival in the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle, there will be another royal salute and the playing of the French and British national anthems before President Macron and King Charles inspect the Guard of Honour.
After the ceremony, everyone headed inside Windsor Castle for lunch in the state dining room, followed by a special exhibition of items relating to France from the Royal Collection in the Green Drawing Room.
President Macron and Brigitte will travel back to London later in the afternoon to lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey before touring the church. While in London, the couple will also visit the Palace of Westminster, where Macron will address Parliamentarians in the Royal Gallery and meet Members of Parliament and Peers.
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