LONDON (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday urged Britain to stick close to its neighbors despite its exit from the European Union, saying France and the U.K. will “save Europe” by standing for democracy, law and international order in a dangerous world.

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.

Brigitte Macron continued her tour of the U.K. alongside husband Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, with a banquet in London’s Guildhall on Wednesday. France’s first lady married subdued elegance with sparkling embellishments, favoring a gown with statement shoulders.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday Britain and France must work together to counter the world's many destabilising threats and protect Europe from "excessive dependencies" on the United States and China.

France and the UK intend to increase the number of the Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF) to 50,000 troops for the future deployment in Ukraine as part of the Coalition of the Willing, stated French President Emmanuel Macron during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer,

Sir Keir Starmer has announced a “groundbreaking” one in, one out deal with Emmanuel Macron to return small boats migrants in exchange for asylum seekers in France. The UK’s new migration deal with France will show people that attempting to cross the Channel in small boats will be “in vain”,

French President Emmanuel Macron was welcomed Tuesday in London by Britain's King Charles III for a three-day state visit in the first since 2008 by France's leader.

Emmanuel Macron has blamed Brexiteers for the small boats crisis as he agreed a “grondbreaking” migrant returns deal with Keir Starmer in a bid to solve the issue. The French president said British voters had been misled before the EU referendum in 2016.

Brigitte Macron's recent UK visit saw her in a subdued mood. This was due to the death of her sister, Anne-Marie Trogneux. Despite her grief, she accompanied President Emmanuel Macron. Sources say the loss deeply affected Madame Macron.

France's President Emmanuel Macron and Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speak during Ukraine security meeting at the 6th European Political Community summit on May 16, 2025 at Skanderbeg Square in Tirana,