French President Emmanuel Macron experienced an awkward moment during his arrival in the UK this week, as his wife, Brigitte Macron, appeared to ignore a public gesture of affection.
The couple landed at RAF Northolt in west London on Tuesday, July 7, as part of a state visit.
As Brigitte descended the stairs of the aircraft, President Macron extended his hand to assist her. However, rather than taking it, the French First Lady kept her hand on the railing, bypassing her husband’s offer entirely.
Though she smiled at him once she reached the tarmac, Macron had already dropped his hand in what appeared to be a slightly uncomfortable moment. The situation became more noticeable when, moments later, he turned to warmly greet the Princess of Wales by kissing her hand, with Prince William also present to welcome the French guests.
Later, the couple was seen sitting together in a car before departing the RAF base, and some observers noted that they didn’t appear particularly at ease with one another.
Body language expert Judi James weighed in on the exchange, telling The Express that Brigitte Macron seemed noticeably restrained in her physical interactions with her husband.
"This looked like a rather strange intentional gesture ritual from a woman who we last saw pushing her husband's face with her hand as he waited to leave the plane in Vietnam,” James told the outlet. “That gesture was so controversial and unpleasant to witness that there might have been an expectation of more visible signs of affection or unity from her since then."
James added: “Placing the offending hand in his in a ritual of unity might have been a small step, but instead she appeared to ignore the act of public gallantry.”
This isn’t the first time the couple’s body language has sparked attention. Just two months earlier, video footage from their visit to Vietnam showed Brigitte Macron appearing to push her husband’s face aside as they prepared to disembark from their plane. Though President Macron brushed off the incident at the time, it was widely circulated on social media and in the press.
Despite the somewhat chilly arrival, the Macrons went on to join the Prince and Princess of Wales for a 14-mile car ride to Windsor. There, they were formally welcomed by King Charles III and Queen Camilla on a specially constructed Royal Dais near Windsor and Eton Riverside station.
Macron later displayed his trademark charm by taking Queen Camilla’s hand and offering a traditional air kiss, just as he had done earlier with the Princess of Wales at the airfield.