King Charles and Queen Camilla warmly greeted France‘s President and First Lady to a D-Day ceremony in sunny Normandy today – with beaming smiles and even a kiss shared in a touching show of friendship between the couples.
The monarch planted a gentlemanly kiss on the hand of Brigitte Macron – who appeared delighted to receive such an affectionate welcome from the royal.
Emmanuel Macron also put on a charming display as he squeezed the hand of Queen Camilla, who placed her other gloved hand on his shoulder as they shared an embrace.
Meanwhile the reunion between the French head of state and His Majesty – who last met in September during Charles’s state visit to France – evoked the ‘bromance‘ label attached to them during their previous encounter.
Pictures show the two men laughing together as they shared a joke before the more sombre elements of the service got underway.
The hearty welcomes came despite the King and Queen being kept waiting by Mr and Mrs Macron – who were 20 minutes late for the showpiece memorial ceremony.
King Charles planted a gentlemanly kiss on the hand of Brigitte Macron ahead of the commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day
President Macron also put on a charming display as he squeezed the hand of Queen Camilla
The monarch greeted France’s First Lady warmly today in sunny Normandy ahead of the event
His Majesty and President Macron shared a chuckle as they chatted before the ceremony got underway
The reunion between Macron and the King – who last met in September during Charles’s state visit to France – evoked the ‘bromance’ label attached to them during their previous encounter
The King and Macron began catching up while Camilla and Brigitte were animated as they chatted and walked together
The royals were clearly pleased to see the couple when they did arrive – with their tactile greetings casting off the traditional handshakes and curtsies afforded to Their Majesties.
The King and Macron began catching up while Camilla and Brigitte were animated as they chatted and walked together.
The two women, who were both wearing white dresses and have striking blonde hair, cut a dazzling figure as they spoke with World War II veterans at the site.
They went together to lay a wreath at the memorial at Ver-sur-Mer, where Camilla seemed somewhat more reluctant to take Brigitte’s hand as she paused in a moment of reflection.
After appearing to give the royal’s hand a slight squeeze, Mrs Macron dropped it and the two stood side by side in front of the memorial.
In one of many moments of levity to punctuate the emotional day, the group chatted with an excited young girl.
President Macron was seen snapping 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 snapping a photo of the King and Queen with a young fan
King Charles III, Queen Camilla and Brigitte Macron met with young well-wishers during the UK Ministry of Defence and Royal British Legion’s commemorative event
Queen Camilla is seen with President Macron as leaders are gathering in Normandy to commemorate D-Day
President Macron place a supportive arm around his wife as they joined King Charles and Camilla at the memorial
The Royals were earlier left waiting for Mr and Mrs Macron ahead of the 80th anniversary event at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer.
King Charles and Queen Camilla did not comment on the behaviour of Mr Macron, who was accompanied by his wife, Brigitte Macron.
But French media noticed what happened, and it was widely reported.
Cnews, the TV news outlet, 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, Mr Macron was almost an hour late when he turned up at the first D-Day commemoration in Plumelec, Brittany.
There was no immediate comment from the Élysee Palace about the President’s tardiness.
After placing their flowers at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer, the First Lady reached out to the Queen, but Camilla seemed somewhat reluctant to proffer her gloved hand
The Queen, King Charles, President Macron and his wife Brigitte attend the UK Ministry of Defence and the Royal British Legion’s commemorative ceremony marking the 80th anniversary
Macron listened intently as the King spoke with him at the milestone event
The group chatted amongst themselves during the commemorative event in Normandy
At today’s event, King Charles and Queen Camilla led those present in a poignant silent prayer to remember the fallen soldiers of WWII.
At one point, Queen Camilla was given a white rose by a veteran in a touching mark of respect, with Her Majesty seen clutching the tender gift as she spoke with the former soldiers.
Elsewhere, Prince William was pictured attending at Juno Beach, where hundreds of Canadian troops lost their lives, along with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The meetings came ahead of an international gathering between leaders of the allied nations, including US president Joe Biden.