Le Figaro: "An Unexpectedly Intimate Gesture"
Netizens: "French Friendliness" vs "He'll Get Slapped Again"
French President Emmanuel Macron, 47, who is on a state visit to the United Kingdom, has once again found himself at the center of controversy. This time, he was caught winking at British Crown Princess Kate Middleton.
On the 8th, French President Emmanuel Macron winks at British Crown Princess Kate Middleton at the state banquet in the United Kingdom. Photo by Yonhap News
According to Yonhap News, citing the French daily Le Figaro, President Macron was seen winking at Crown Princess Middleton at the state banquet hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle on the 8th (local time). At the time, President Macron was seated right next to the Crown Princess. After all the guests’ glasses had been filled, he reportedly toasted with the Crown Princess and winked at her.
Le Figaro reported that this unexpected and rather intimate gesture from the French head of state surprised many people.
This scene quickly spread online and sparked heated debate. Some argued that President Macron’s wink was simply an expression of French ease and nothing to be concerned about. They noted that Macron is known to wink at both men and women in official settings as a sign of friendliness.
However, others responded with mockery, saying, “He might get slapped again by his wife Brigitte Macron.” This referenced an incident in May, when, during a tour of Southeast Asia, Macron was caught on camera being slapped on the face by his wife just before disembarking from their private jet at a Vietnamese airport. Some also criticized the wink as “rude.”
Previously, President Macron was embroiled in rumors of marital discord immediately after arriving in the UK. As he reached out to escort his wife Brigitte off the plane, she ignored his hand and descended the stairs alone, holding onto the railing. Macron then awkwardly withdrew his hand and greeted Prince William and Princess Kate, who had come to welcome them.
Questions were also raised about the way President Macron greeted Crown Princess Middleton at that time. He kissed the back of her hand, prompting some in the UK to question whether this violated royal protocol.
However, according to the official royal website, men are only required to bow their heads as a sign of respect when meeting members of the royal family. Later, when meeting Queen Camilla, President Macron also greeted her by kissing the back of her hand, and King Charles III greeted Brigitte Macron in the same way. Le Figaro added that, although President Macron chose an unusual way of greeting, it was not considered a breach of etiquette.
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