"Blowing a Kiss to the British Queen"... French President Macron's Wife Breaks the 'Unspoken Rule', Stirring Controversy

UK Bans Physical Contact with Royal Family First
President Macron Also Touches Charles III's Arm and Back
Some Criticize as "Diplomatic Faux Pas"

Amid the state visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to France, Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, surprised many by giving Queen Camilla a cheek kiss, drawing attention.

On the 20th (local time) at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, Brigitte Macron greeted King Charles III and his wife with a French-style cheek kiss, a "bisou," to Queen Camilla.
[Photo by Yonhap News Agency·Reuters]

On the 20th (local time) at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, Brigitte Macron greeted King Charles III and Queen Camilla with the French-style cheek kiss called 'bisou.' It was a naturally occurring greeting.

After arriving at the airport, King Charles III and Queen Camilla met the Macron presidential couple at their first official event location, the Arc de Triomphe. President Macron and his wife, who were waiting in front of the monument, approached the royal couple as they stepped out of their vehicle.

First, King Charles III and President Macron shook hands, followed by Brigitte Macron shaking hands with King Charles III. Then, President Macron slightly bowed toward Queen Camilla in greeting, to which the queen responded with a handshake.

Afterward, Brigitte Macron approached Queen Camilla and naturally expressed friendliness with a 'bisou.' News anchors broadcasting live from the studio repeatedly mentioned Brigitte Macron's action, calling it "a surprising gesture."

Queen Camilla showed no particular reaction to Brigitte Macron's gesture. To those who value royal protocol, Brigitte Macron's action could be seen as a breach of etiquette.

They also exchanged cheek kisses when they met at the evening banquet

However, some argue that since Queen Camilla and Lady Brigitte were not meeting for the first time, this can be seen as a sign of familiarity. In fact, the two greeted each other with a cheek kiss again when they met later that evening at the state banquet held at the Palace of Versailles.
[Photo by Reuters·Yonhap News]

Within the British royal family, there is an unwritten rule that personal physical contact should not be initiated unless the royal family member takes the lead.

Some suggest that since Queen Camilla and Brigitte Macron are not meeting for the first time, the gesture can be interpreted as a sign of familiarity. Indeed, the two exchanged cheek kisses again when they met later that evening at the state banquet held at the Palace of Versailles.

Affectionate moments were also frequently observed between King Charles III and President Macron. President Macron often held King Charles III's arm or placed a hand on his back while guiding him, and King Charles III responded with a smile.

The French greeting 'bisou' involves briefly touching each other's cheeks alternately, making a 'smack' sound with the lips each time a cheek is touched. At first glance, it may look like kissing both cheeks, but the lips should not actually touch the cheek.

However, customs vary by region; in some places, touching lips to the cheek is tacitly accepted, and in Southern Europe or Latin America, it is considered a proper greeting only if the lips touch the cheek.