King Charles 'couldn't resist chuckle' as Emmanuel Macron broke royal protocol

King Charles reportedly "couldn't resist a chuckle" when Emmanuel Macron recently broke royal protocol during his state visit. The French President and his wife, Brigitte, are currently in the UK for a three-day trip.

As part of the proceedings, Prince William and Princess Kate met the couple when they landed at RAF Northolt in Ruislip, west London.

Macron met King Charles and Queen Camilla in Windsor, addressed Parliament and met Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. He later attended the King's state banquet alongside huge names such as Sir Elton John and Sir Mick Jagger.

However, in what could have been an awkward incident at the start of the tour, Macron's "touchy-feely" approach to diplomacy when interacting with the Grenadier Guards broke "royal protocol". Macron "chummily patted" the captain on the back, something you should "never do". They are instructed to yell 'Hands off the King's guard!' if they're ever touched by curious tourists, reports the Mail's Ephraim Hardcastle.

He wrote: "Fortuitously, the captain turned to see who was interfering with his person and bit his tongue. Apparently, the King couldn't resist a chuckle."

As one of the oldest and most well-known regiments in the British Army, the Grenadier Guards take on roles spanning from the guarding of Royal Palaces to front-line service.

Specialising in Light Role Infantry operations, they're one of the most senior infantry regiments in the Army. They're also one of five regiments that make up the Household Division Foot Guards, which guard the palaces.

In addition to the Grenadier Guards, the Foot Guards, well-known for their iconic scarlet tunics and bearskin hats, are comprised of the Coldstream Guards, the Scots Guards, the Irish Guards and the Welsh Guards.

On the first day of the visit, the King spoke in French when he toasted the president. He said the visit was a further opportunity to "celebrate a deep and enduring friendship" between the two nations.

Charles described how potentially the "most remarkable" thing is how the "speciality of one country" is part of the "story of the other", adding that their citizens had "admired one another" for centuries.

Speaking after the King, Macron discussed France's "real affection" for the King's late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. He added that he thought this was "reciprocal", reports Sky News.

He also echoed his earlier calls in the Palace of Westminster for closer ties between the two nations, saying: "In honour of the United Kingdom, of this entente amico that unites our two fraternal peoples in an unwavering alliance.

"Long live the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland! Long live France!"

It would also mark the first appearance of Princess Kate at a state banquet in nearly two years, having last appeared at a dinner in 2023 for the president of South Korea.