King Charles and Queen Camilla warmly greeted France’s president and first lady at a D-Day ceremony in sunny Normandy today, with beaming smiles and even a shared kiss in a touching display of friendship between the couples.
The monarch planted a gentlemanly kiss on the hand of Brigitte Macron, who seemed delighted to receive such an affectionate welcome from the royals.
Emmanuel Macron also made a charming display of squeezing the hand of Queen Camilla, who placed her other gloved hand on his shoulder as they shared a hug.
Meanwhile, the reunion between the French Head of State and Her Majesty – who last met in September during Charles’ state visit to France – evoked the “bromance” label placed on them during their previous meeting.
Footage shows the two men laughing together as they shared a joke before the more somber elements of the service began.
The warm welcome came despite the king and queen having to wait for Mr and Mrs Macron, who arrived 20 minutes late for the main memorial ceremony.
King Charles planted a chivalrous kiss on Brigitte Macron’s hand before the event commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
President Macron also made a charming display of squeezing Queen Camilla’s hand.
The monarch warmly greeted the First Lady of France today in sunny Normandy before the event
Her Majesty and President Macron laughed as they chatted before the ceremony began.
The reunion between Macron and the King, who last saw each other in September during Charles’ state visit to France, evoked the “bromance” label placed on them during their previous meeting.
The King and Macron began to catch up while Camilla and Brigitte became animated as they chatted and walked together.
The royals were clearly pleased to see the couple when they arrived, with their tactile greetings ruling out the traditional handshakes and bows given to Their Majesties.
The King and Macron began to catch up while Camilla and Brigitte became animated as they chatted and walked together.
The two women, who were dressed in white dresses and had striking blonde hair, cut stunning figures as they spoke to World War II veterans at the scene.
They went together to lay a wreath at the Ver-sur-Mer memorial, where Camilla seemed a little more reluctant to take Brigitte’s hand as she paused to reflect.
After appearing to give the royal’s hand a light squeeze, Mrs Macron dropped it and the two stood side by side in front of the monument.
In one of the many moments of levity that marked the emotional day, the group chatted with an excited young woman.
President Macron was seen taking a photo of the King and Queen with the young fan, who was wearing a poppy as she smiled for the camera.
President Macron was seen taking a photo of the King and Queen with a young fan.
King Charles III, Queen Camilla and Brigitte Macron met young supporters during the UK Ministry of Defense and Royal British Legion commemoration event.
Queen Camilla is seen with President Macron as leaders gather in Normandy to mark D-Day.
President Macron put a supportive arm around his wife as they joined King Charles and Camilla at the memorial.
Earlier, royals stood waiting for Mr and Mrs Macron ahead of the 80th anniversary event at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer.
King Charles and Queen Camilla did not comment on the behavior of Macron, who was accompanied by his wife, Brigitte Macron.
But the French media caught wind of what happened and it was widely reported.
The television news channel Cnews wrote: “While the king and queen of England were already installed, Emmanuel Macron and his wife arrived twenty minutes late for the Franco-British ceremony, which shocked the English.”
On Tuesday, Macron arrived almost an hour late for the first D-Day commemoration in Plumelec, Brittany.
There was no immediate comment from the Elysee Palace on the president’s tardiness.
After placing her flowers at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, the First Lady approached the Queen, but Camilla seemed somewhat reluctant to offer her gloved hand.
The Queen, King Charles, President Macron and his wife Brigitte attend the UK Ministry of Defense and Royal British Legion commemoration ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary.
Macron listened attentively as the King spoke to him at the historic event.
The group chatted among themselves during the commemorative event in Normandy
At today’s event, King Charles and Queen Camilla led those present in a moving silent prayer to remember the fallen soldiers of the Second World War.
At one point, a veteran gave Queen Camilla a white rose in a touching sign of respect, and Her Majesty was seen clutching the tender gift as she spoke to the former soldiers.
Elsewhere, Prince William was photographed attending Juno Beach, where hundreds of Canadian troops lost their lives, along with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The meetings came ahead of an international meeting between leaders of allied nations, including US President Joe Biden.
