French President Emmanuel Macron playfully winked at Kate Middleton during a state banquet on July 8, 2025. Kate Middleton and Macron were seated next to each other during the official dinner, where the French leader showed a more relaxed and chivalrous side. He assisted Kate by pulling out her chair before they both raised their glasses in a toast at Windsor Castle.
The star-studded gala, held in honor of the first official French state visit in 17 years, had Macron seated between Princess Kate and King Charles. The 47-year-old politician’s polite gesture towards Kate included pulling out her chair and waiting for her to be seated before taking his own place beside her. A moment that captured attention was Macron winking at Kate during a toast, a scene that quickly circulated on social media.
The warmth between Princess Kate and President Macron was evident from the moment they met upon the French delegation’s arrival at RAF Northolt. Macron greeted Kate with a kiss on her hand, a gesture that, while unconventional, didn’t violate royal protocol according to the royal family’s official website.
At the state banquet, seating arrangements had spouses placed across from each other at the table. King Charles, President Macron, and Princess Kate were seated together, while Prince William sat next to Macron’s wife, Brigitte, with Queen Camilla on the other side. The dinner was attended by notable figures such as Mick Jagger, Elton John, David Furnish, Kristin Scott-Thomas, and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
During the banquet, Macron and King Charles delivered toasts, emphasizing the importance of unity between France and the U.K. Macron highlighted the need to remain vigilant on both sides of the English Channel.
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