Macron’s UK visit set to precede Trump’s expected September trip

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to make a state visit to the United Kingdom in May, ahead of a potential visit by US President Donald Trump later in the year, as London looks to rekindle ties with the European Union.

The visit, first reported by the Sunday Times, will be Macron’s first formal state visit to the UK since taking office in 2017. He is expected to be hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle.

Though the full itinerary remains under wraps, the timing aligns with Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s broader push to restore cooperation with European partners following years of post-Brexit uncertainty.

Macron and Starmer have recently spearheaded a “coalition of the willing” alongside other European nations aiming to coordinate security guarantees for Ukraine.

Their collaboration is expected to be formalised at a London summit on 19 May, where a UK-EU defence and security pact could be signed.

That agreement, centred around enhanced military coordination, may lay the groundwork for future deals involving trade facilitation, mobility for students, and streamlined agri-food standards.

Diplomats say the defence accord is partially dependent on whether the UK is willing to offer fishing concessions to EU fleets operating in British waters.

The summit and Macron’s visit signal a clear pivot back toward Europe as relations with Washington cool. President Trump, who was invited by King Charles for a second state visit during Starmer’s White House visit in February, is expected to travel to the UK in September.

Speaking in the Oval Office last week, Trump described the anticipated trip as “a second fest” and noted his personal rapport with the royal family.

Trump previously made a state visit in 2019. Typically, second-term US presidents are hosted for tea or lunch with the monarch, but Starmer’s invitation was reportedly upgraded to a full ceremonial visit.

The Trump administration has recently imposed a 10 percent blanket tariff on goods from both the UK and EU, adding to the urgency of rebuilding Europe-facing trade partnerships for Britain.

Macron’s visit is being seen as both symbolic and strategic, as Downing Street looks to re-anchor Britain within the European security and economic framework while navigating growing friction with the US.