UK Royals Welcome Macron, Talks Focus on Ukraine, Migration

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UK Royals Welcome Macron, Talks Focus on Ukraine, Migration/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ French President Macron began a state visit to the UK, blending royal pageantry with urgent talks on migration and Ukraine. He met King Charles and Prime Minister Starmer to discuss curbing Channel crossings and forming a Ukraine peacekeeping force. Despite Brexit tensions, the visit signals closer British-French cooperation.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron, left, are greeted by Britain’s Prince William, right, and Kate, Princess of Wales at RAF Northolt, west of London, Tuesday July 8, 2025, on the first day of a three-day state visit to Britain. (Justin Tallis/Pool via AP)

France’s President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron, second right, are greeted by Britain’s Prince William, right, and Kate, Princess of Wales at RAF Northolt, west of London, Tuesday July 8, 2025, on the first day of a three-day state visit to Britain. (Justin Tallis/Pool via AP)

Quick Look: Macron’s UK State Visit

Macron’s first UK state visit since Brexit
Royal welcome by King Charles and Queen Camilla
Talks focus on migration, Ukraine peacekeeping force
UK seeks tougher French measures on Channel crossings
Macron calls UK a “strategic partner, ally, friend”
Starmer, Macron aligned on Ukraine, cautious on US stance
Migration crossings hit record highs in 2025
State banquet and parliamentary address part of visit

Britain’s Prince William, and Britain’s Kate, Princess of Wales arrive to greet France’s President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron, at RAF Northolt, west of London, Tuesday July 8, 2025, on the first day of a three-day state visit to Britain. (Justin Tallis/Pool via AP)

UK Royals Welcome Macron for State Visit Amid Talks on Migration, Ukraine

Deep Look

LONDON (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Britain on Tuesday for a three-day state visit steeped in royal ceremony but underscored by pressing political discussions on migration and the war in Ukraine.

The visit, hosted by King Charles III, marks the first state visit to the U.K. by a European Union head of state since Brexit—a signal of Britain’s desire to mend ties with the bloc it left in 2020.

Macron called the occasion an “important moment for our two nations,” writing on X: “The United Kingdom is a strategic partner, an ally, a friend. Our bond is longstanding, forged by history and strengthened by trust.”

Royal Welcome and Banquet

Macron and his wife, Brigitte, were greeted on a red carpet at London’s RAF Northolt air base by Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, who wore a gown by French fashion house Dior. Later, they traveled to Windsor, where King Charles and Queen Camilla welcomed them.

As Union Jacks and French tricolors fluttered along the route, the royal couple escorted their guests in horse-drawn carriages to Windsor Castle. The day’s festivities were set to culminate in a state banquet hosted by the king and queen.

While Charles will steer clear of politics, he is expected to highlight the need for international cooperation, noting that Britain and France “face a multitude of complex threats that know no borders.”

Macron is scheduled to address both houses of the British Parliament in the ornate Royal Gallery before private talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Tackling Migration Challenges

High on the agenda is tackling the surge of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats—a persistent headache for governments on both sides of the water.

Despite repeated joint efforts and agreements to bolster beach patrols and intelligence sharing, crossings have continued at significant levels. About 37,000 migrants crossed in small boats in 2024, the second-highest annual total after 46,000 in 2022. So far in 2025, more than 20,000 crossings have been recorded, up roughly 50% from the same period last year.

Starmer’s government, elected a year ago, has pledged to “smash the gangs” behind people-smuggling, relying on closer cooperation with France and nations along migrant routes from Africa and the Middle East. Britain also aims to strike deals to return failed asylum seekers.

British officials have pressed France to allow police to take stronger action, including intercepting boats in deeper waters—a move the French government is still considering.

French police have already begun slashing inflatable dinghies as part of new tactics. U.K. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper praised the shift, saying the French are “bringing in important new tactics to stop boats that are in the water.”

However, migrants’ rights groups and a French police union have cautioned that increased intervention at sea could heighten risks for both migrants and officers.

Focus on Ukraine

Beyond migration, Macron and Starmer are expected to discuss their joint support for Ukraine. Both leaders have worked closely to maintain European backing for Kyiv, though they differ in their approach to U.S. President Donald Trump, with Macron more openly challenging him and Starmer adopting a more diplomatic tone.

Britain and France are leading efforts to assemble an international peacekeeping force to support a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, with European troops and U.S. security guarantees. However, Trump has shown little enthusiasm for the idea, and the prospects for a ceasefire remain uncertain.

Nonetheless, British officials insist the “coalition of the willing” concept remains alive, and Macron and Starmer are set to join an international videoconference on Thursday to continue planning.

Starmer spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday about “significant progress being made by military planners,” according to the British prime minister’s office.

Macron’s visit, blending royal spectacle and serious diplomacy, signals a renewed commitment to collaboration between Britain and France on challenges that transcend borders.