Prince William, Princess Catherine’s next big royal move
As Prince William and Princess Catherine quietly take a larger responsibility in the Royal Family, King Charles has included them in another major event.
Princess Catherine will join Prince William, King Charles and Queen Camilla at Windsor for the French State Visit next week – just days after opening up about her “really difficult” cancer recovery.
The Princess of Wales, 43, described the ongoing struggle of “cracking on” and putting on a “brave face” while speaking to cancer patients this week after she pulled out of Royal Ascot.
But she will return to ceremonial royal duties as French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte will receive the pomp and ceremony of a carriage ride and State Dinner at Windsor Castle on Tuesday local time, it has been confirmed.
It is even further evidence that the Wales’ are taking on even more senior royal duties as King Charles continues treatment for an undisclosed cancer.
It is the First State Visit to be held at Windsor since 2014 when Irish President Michael D Higgins was feted.
Buckingham Palace is closed for official visits due to an ongoing A$770 million renovation.
Donald Trump’s likely State Visit in September is also expected to be at Windsor Castle.
Palace officials have confirmed William and Kate will greet the Macrons at RAF Northolt on Tuesday morning local time on behalf of the King and travel with them to Windsor.
Charles and Camilla will formally greet their guests on a Royal Dais constructed on Datchet Road in Windsor town centre, with the castle in the backdrop as gun salutes sound in nearby Home Park.
The King, the Queen, the Waleses and Macrons will then take a carriage procession through the town and along part of the Long Walk into the Castle.
A ceremonial welcome will be held in the castle’s quadrangle with Camilla, William, Kate and Mrs Macron watching as the King and President Macron inspect the Guard of Honour.
After lunch in the State Dining Room they will all view a special exhibition of items relating to France from the Royal Collection in the Green Drawing Room.
The Macrons will also travel to London on Tuesday afternoon to see the Grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey.
At the Houses of Parliament the French leader will address parliamentarians in the Royal Gallery, and meet opposition leaders at Lancaster House.
The King and president will both deliver speeches at the banquet on Tuesday evening.
Kensington Palace has yet to confirm whether or not the princess will attend the banquet in Windsor Castle’s St George’s Hall.
In a personal touch, the King and Queen will, on Wednesday, take the Macrons to see Fabuleu de Maucour, a 10-year-old grey gelding which Mr Macron gifted to known horse-lover the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 in celebration of her Platinum Jubilee.
Fabuleu de Maucour belonged to the largely ceremonial French Republican Guard and was trained to carry the standard-bearer.
They will also view an elegant Charabanc carriage from the Royal Mews, which was a present to Queen Victoria from King Louis-Philippe of France in 1844.
And the Macrons will privately pay their respects at the late Queen’s tomb in St George’s Chapel by laying flowers in tribute.
Charles, Ranger of Windsor Great Park, will also invite the president to tour the Windsor Castle Gardens, including areas of nature restoration and biodiversity and the wider Great Park.
Wednesday will see the president and Mrs Macron join Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Lady Starmer for lunch at Downing Street, ahead of a UK-France summit at Number 10 on Thursday.
The King and Queen paid a state visit to France in September 2023 and enjoy a warm rapport with French leader and his wife, who will stay in the castle during their trip.
It is largely seen as a template for Mr Trump’s visit in September.
The last state visit to the UK from France was in March 2008 when the now-disgraced president Nicolas Sarkozy, since convicted of corruption and influence peddling, and his wife Carla Bruni, were the guests of Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor.
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Originally published as Prince William, Princess Catherine’s next big royal move