Featured Image Credit: Yui Mok-Pool/Getty Images
Topics: Kate Middleton, Royal Family, Politics, World News, Emmanuel Macron, UK News
Rhianna Benson
Topics: Kate Middleton, Royal Family, Politics, World News, Emmanuel Macron, UK News
The British Royal Family hosted Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, for a state visit this week, during which the French President allegedly directed a pretty suggestive gesture at Kate Middleton.
And even more scandalously, the move came just hours after the politician was snubbed in public by his other-half.
Kicking off their UK visit yesterday (8 Jul), the Macrons landed into a London airport, where they were greeted by the Princess of Wales and her husband, Prince William, on behalf of King Charles, along with a swarm of paparazzi.
After touching down onto the tarmac, the 72-year-old First Lady could be seen in photographs emerging from the aircraft, with her husband, 47, offering out his hand for her to hold.
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Spectators were subsequently surprised to see Brigitte instead move her own hand purposefully towards the rail of the staircase below, leaving Macron hanging.
The President then reached out towards Kate's hand, planting an air kiss upon it.
Body language expert later told Tyla of Brigitte (on behalf of Slingo): "She still doesn’t extend her hand, which means he’s left with his arm extended - which is a bit awkward.
"She appears to have completely ignored him in front of the world’s media, which could be seen as a big snub."
Following his somewhat humiliating start to the day, however, Macron seemingly appeared to seek affection elsewhere, and during a state dinner last night, the Frenchman was seen making the eyes at Kate, 43 - literally.
In snaps that have since gone viral online, the President can be seen sitting beside the Princess during a white-tie get-together in Windsor Castle, winking in the mother-of-three's direction.
The typically flirtatious gesture came after the pair clinked their glasses together in toast to the special occasion.
The move has since divided social media spectators, however, many of whom have attempted to defend Macron.
"Maybe he had something in his eye," one suggested.
Another wrote: "Doesn't look a wink to me but raising a glass and an eye. Even it were, It was done light hearted nothing deep.
"They are being hosted so I don't think Catherine finds it rude."
Others, however, weren't too pleased by the move, with one critic hitting out: "Macron winking at Princess Catherine is extremely rude."
Another joked: "The sheer impudence, lock him in the Tower."
A third went on to ask: "What's up with his face? It's no wonder Bridget smacked him one."
The latter remark is in reference to an embarrassing blow-up between the Macrons earlier this year, where Brigitte seemingly struck her husband just before exiting a plane.
The incident occurred during the Macrons' tour of South-East Asia back in May, which kicked off with a visit to Hanoi in Vietnam.
Footage shared by the BBC of Macron waiting for his private plane's doors to open shocked viewers at the time, after a hand believed to be Brigitte's suddenly comes into view, 'slapping' his face.
The President went on to claim that he and his wife had simply been playing, with France24 reporting he said: "We are horsing around and, really, joking with my wife."