Starting his state banquet speech in French, the King welcomed Macron before remarking that much has happened since his own royal tour of France in 2023.

The UK and France "have stood ever closer since then", he said.

King Charles spoke of the deep cultural, political and historic ties between the two nations before turning to joint cooperation in facing cross-border threats in an uncertain world of "terrorism, organised crime and cyberattacks".

He also spoke of efforts to tackle "irregular migration across the English Channel", the threat posed by climate change and providing support for Ukraine.

The King's speech was not all seriousness, however, as he spoke lightly of a neighbourly relationship "built on co-operation and mutual fascination".

"This evening, we have drunk English sparkling wine made by a French champagne house. This would have been scarcely believable to at least some of our predecessors," he said.

In his speech, Macron expressed his confidence in the relationship between the UK and France, and recalled shared historical ties, switching between English and French, before turning to the present day.

"On either side of the channel, there is a constant reminder that we must never lower our guard," he said.

Macron said it was important the UK and Britain work together on research, science and education.

He also spoke about the Bayeux Tapestry returning to the UK, more than 900 years after its creation.

He says the final parts of the tapestry are missing is a "powerful symbol", that "in the great mural of Franco-British history, the end is yet to be written - it is up to us to do it".

Other senior royals were among the 160 guests, including the Princess of Wales, who sat to Macron's right.

She has been absent from the last couple of big ceremonial dinners, with the South Korean state visit in November 2023 the last she attended.

Among guests were Rolling Stones singer Sir Mick Jagger, actress Dame Kristin Scott-Thomas, Sir Elton John, First Dates star Fred Sirieux and former England goalkeeper Mary Earps, who sat next to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

The state banquet was held at Windsor Castle rather than the usual ballroom at Buckingham Palace, which is undergoing renovations.

The menu for the evening began with a special cocktail called "l'entente", which combined British gin with lemon curd and French pastis, decorated with French cornflowers and English roses.

Chef Raymond Blanc made a menu starting with a selection of tender summer vegetables with sage, raw tomato and extra virgin olive oil dressing.

The main course was a supreme of Rhug Estate chicken with Norfolk asparagus and tarragon cream, with an iced blackcurrant-soaked sponge with elderflower jelly selected for dessert.

Earlier on Tuesday, Macron and the King chatted enthusiastically as they travelled to Windsor Castle in open-top carriages, accompanied by Household Cavalry.

Queen Camilla and Brigitte Macron travelled behind in a separate carriage.

Mrs Macron was seen blowing kisses to the crowd as the carriages swept through Windsor. The bands struck up the Marseillaise - the national anthem of France - as they passed the castle, with the procession moving at quite a pace.

There were cheers for Prince William and Catherine from crowds lining the streets.

Catherine, in a nod towards French fashion, was wearing a Christian Dior jacket. It was her first public appearance since speaking last week about the challenges in recovering after chemotherapy.

King Charles and Macron later carried out a ceremonial inspection of guards in red tunics and bearskins in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle, before heading inside for lunch.

As part of this diplomatic schmoozing, Macron and his wife were shown a display of French-themed items from the Royal Collection.

This included Queen Victoria's journal entry from August 1855, when Victoria had become the first British monarch for 400 years to have visited Paris.