Macron welcomes Their Majesties

PUBLISHED : 1 Jul 2026 at 04:20

Their Majesties the King and Queen were formally welcomed in Paris on Monday during an official state visit marking the 170th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between Thailand and France.

Accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, Their Majesties travelled from Le Meurice Paris, the official residence provided by the French government, to the Hôtel des Invalides for the official welcoming ceremony.

French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron received Their Majesties before Mr Macron accompanied His Majesty to inspect the guard of honour. A military band performed the Thai royal anthem and the French national anthem during the ceremony.

Their Majesties were then introduced to senior French officials before travelling to the Palais de l'Élysée.

They then met up again with Mr Macron and the First Lady for formal talks before viewing a display of historical documents highlighting long-standing bilateral ties.

Among the exhibits was a golden letter sent by King Mongkut (King Rama IV) to Emperor Napoleon III in 1861.

Their Majesties returned to the Élysée Palace to attend a state banquet.

Their Majesties the King and Queen are honoured with France's highest national decorations — the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour for His Majesty and the Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit for Her Majesty, presented by French President Emmanuel Macron during their historic state visit to France.

French President's wife Brigitte Macron walks with Her Majesty the Queen during a welcoming ceremony in the courtyard of the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris on June 29.