French president Emmanuel Macron’s awkward moment with wife as they’re greeted by William and Kate

Just weeks after making headlines for a tense exchange, France’s president and First Lady shared another awkward scene as they landed in the UK.

IN LONDON

An awkward moment has once again unfolded between Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte, with the French president seemingly ignored as he offered her assistance during their arrival in Britain on a state visit.

The couple were disembarking a plane at RAF Northolt in West London on Tuesday, where the Prince and Princess of Wales were waiting to greet them, when Mr Macron offered the First Lady his hand as they walked down the steps.

However, Mrs Macron appeared to ignore it, choosing to instead hold the handrail and leaving her husband to awkwardly abandon his effort before greeting Kate.

In May, a similar drama occurred between the pair as they disembarked a plane in Vietnam, with the First Lady seen pushing her husband’s face away with both hands.

The incident made headlines all over the world, although the president later played down the gesture.

The French president and his wife appeared to have an awkward moment as they disembarked. Picture: Jeanne Accorsini/Pool/AFP

They were greeted shortly afterwards by William and Kate. Picture: Geoff Pugh/Pool via AP

Meanwhile, the Princess of Wales looked typically chic for the high-profile event on Tuesday, decked out in a Christian Dior outfit and matching hat as she joined William in welcoming the French couple.

The royal pair were all smiles as they greeted Emmanuel Macron and the First Lady, Brigitte, at the RAF Northolt on Tuesday. At one point, the Wales’ were seen giggling together as they chatted with guests.

In a rare occasion of pomp and ceremony, a royal carriage procession, featuring the Wales’, the King and Queen and their French visitors, then travelled through Windsor.

It’s the first time a state visit has taken place at Windsor Castle since 2014 – a result of the refurbishments currently underway in Buckingham Palace.

Kate looked stunning in Dior. Picture: Chris Jackson/Pool/AFP

The Wales’ shared a laugh during the official welcome. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

After months away from the spotlight last year amid her cancer treatment, Kate’s involvement in the state visit is once again a welcome sight for royal-watchers, particularly after her last-minute cancellation from Royal Ascot last month.

The British royals stood alongside the French president and his wife in Windsor. Picture: Ludovic Marin/Pool/AFP

A royal carriage procession took place following the President and First Lady’s arrival. Picture: Chris Jackson/Pool via AP

However, despite her appearance at the Macrons’ welcome on Tuesday, it’s still unclear whether she will attend the State Banquet being held in their honour on Tuesday night.

The French president and First Lady are in the UK for three days, during which they will also view items from the Royal Collection with connections to France, as well as visiting the Grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey.

It’s part of a two-day state visit. Picture: Alberto Pezzali – WPA Pool/Getty Images

They will also have a private visit to St. George’s Chapel at Windsor, where they will lay flowers on Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb.

Meanwhile, the high-profile visit follows Kate’s recent and most personal comments yet about her cancer battle.

The princess, who was diagnosed early last year and underwent months of chemotherapy, visited Colchester Hospital in Essex last week, where she spoke about having to put on a “brave face”.

“You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment. Treatment’s done, then it’s like, ‘I can crack on, get back to normal,’ but actually, the phase afterwards is really, really difficult,” she admitted.

“You’re not necessarily under the clinical team any longer, but you’re not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to.

“And actually, someone to help talk you through that, show you and guide you through that sort of phase that comes after treatment, I think is really valuable.”

Originally published as French president Emmanuel Macron’s awkward moment with wife as they’re greeted by William and Kate