Kate Middleton joins Prince William to welcome French President Macron

President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte were  welcomed by Prince William and Kate Middleton as the French couple landed in London on Tuesday.

Later, King Charles and Queen Camilla greeted Macron and his wife as they arrived for a three-day visit.

Prince William was accompanied by his wife Princess Catherine in a rare joint appearance as the royal couple greeted the guests at RAF Northolt, before Macron and his wife met the King and Queen on a dais built in Windsor town centre.

Accompanied by heir to the throne  William and Kate the group then climbed into several horse-drawn carriages for a procession in Windsor which finished in the medieval castle's courtyard, west of London.

The broadcaster reported that It is the first state visit by a French president since 2008, and the first by a European Union leader since Brexit.

The official Instagram account of the Prince and Princess of Wales shared the couple's pictures before Macron's arrival at the airport.

Another picture posted to their Instagram stories showed the couple receiving the visiting couple.

The picture was shared with French greeting "Bonjour".

Macron enjoys a strong personal relationship with the king, and there were smiles as the pair met alongside their wives Brigitte and Queen Camilla, watched over by soldiers on horseback, in ceremonial uniform of blue tunics and scarlet plumes.

Before heading to London on Tuesday afternoon to address parliament, Macron joined Charles to inspect the Guard of Honour. He was due to have lunch with the family and tour the Royal Collection, paintings and furniture amassed by the Windsors over the centuries.