In July 2025, after French President Emmanuel Macron made a state visit to the U.K., a claim (archived) circulated online that Macron broke royal protocol when he walked in front of King Charles III while inspecting British troops on July 8.

King Charles III highlighted the crucial bonds between the United Kingdom and France in the face of a “multitude of more complex threats,” as he welcomed President Emmanuel Macron for the first state visit by a European leader to his country since Brexit.

King Charles and French President Emmanuel Macron shared a notably warm and extended farewell at Windsor Castle, marking a successful start to the French leader’s state visit. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.