WATCH: French President Emmanuel Macron's wife apparently slaps him

A seemingly innocent moment between French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, has triggered a wave of speculation after video footage surfaced of Brigitte appearing to push her husband’s face upon their arrival in Hanoi for a Southeast Asian tour.

The clip, recorded on Sunday evening at Noi Bai International Airport, shows the French first lady's hands extending from the aircraft's door, seemingly giving Emmanuel’s face a light shove.

The gesture, playful at first glance, raised eyebrows, especially since Brigitte did not take her husband’s offered arm as they descended the stairs.

Emmanuel, though caught off guard, quickly regained his composure and waved to the crowd.

However, his wife’s expression, obscured by the plane’s body, left viewers wondering whether the playful shove was just that or if there was more beneath the surface.

The video quickly went viral, with various reactions flooding social media, many of which questioned the dynamics of the couple’s relationship.

Some critics, especially those from accounts known for their anti-Macron stance, began to speculate whether this moment was a reflection of deeper tensions between the couple.

Macron’s office initially attempted to dismiss the footage’s authenticity, only to confirm it later as genuine.

In a bid to downplay the incident, President Macron described the interaction as "just horsing around" with his wife, brushing aside any suggestion of conflict.

"It becomes a sort of geo-planetary catastrophe," he quipped, mocking the media frenzy. But for some, his response raised more questions than answers.

Was his lighthearted explanation a deflection? Or was there something more serious at play behind closed doors?

A close ally of the president chimed in, calling the moment a "harmless squabble" and a "moment of togetherness" between the couple.

Still, the incident lingered in the minds of many, particularly those who have long observed the Macrons' relationship with keen interest.

The couple has been a fixture of public scrutiny since their marriage in 2007, with their unusual dynamic and the age gap between them often fodder for media speculation.

Some even pointed to the timing of the incident, coinciding with the beginning of Macron’s high-profile Southeast Asia tour. Could this brief moment of tension be a reflection of mounting stress, both personally and politically?

The tour, which will see the French president visiting Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore, is aimed at positioning France as a steady presence in the region, competing with the economic influence of the US and China.

For some observers, this minor incident could signify something larger a crack in the public façade of one of Europe’s most-watched political couples.

While Macron’s lighthearted response suggested all is well, the moment has left many wondering: was it really just a playful push, or was there something more significant happening between the Macrons behind the scenes?