French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent state visit to the United Kingdom marks a significant turning point in post-Brexit European diplomacy. As the first European Union leader to make a state visit to Britain since its departure from the EU, Macron’s trip underscores a renewed effort to strengthen bilateral relations between France and the UK. The visit has been widely described as a reset in cross-Channel relations, symbolically referred to by King Charles as the “entente amicale”—a modern-day evolution of the historic Entente Cordiale.
Joint Migration Deal and Defence Cooperation
At the heart of the visit was a major agreement on migration, unveiled by Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The two leaders introduced a “one-in, one-out” policy for asylum seekers—a coordinated strategy intended to regulate migration flows more effectively between the two countries. This policy forms part of a wider package aimed at strengthening border security and improving asylum processing procedures.
In addition to migration, the two governments pledged closer cooperation on defence and security, reaffirming their mutual commitment to NATO and cross-border military coordination. The partnership is expected to include increased intelligence-sharing and collaborative operations in Europe and beyond.
A Soft Power Symbol: The Return of the Bayeux Tapestry
Beyond geopolitics, the visit featured a symbolic cultural gesture: France’s decision to loan the Bayeux Tapestry to the UK for the first time in over 900 years. The tapestry, which depicts the Norman conquest of England in 1066, will be displayed in a special exhibition—a move hailed as a gesture of goodwill and cultural diplomacy.
This announcement reflects both nations’ emphasis on soft power and shared heritage as a tool for deepening ties in a post-Brexit era. It also seeks to engage the public on both sides of the Channel in a narrative of cooperation, despite years of tension.
The Bigger Picture: Restoring Trust Post-Brexit
Macron’s visit and the resulting agreements represent a strategic recalibration of Franco-British relations. Following years of diplomatic strain during the Brexit negotiations and their aftermath, both governments appear committed to restoring trust and building a forward-looking partnership.
As FT’s Europe editor Ben Hall noted, this renewed engagement is likely to have long-term implications for the UK’s relationship with the wider EU. Analysts suggest that while formal re-entry into EU structures remains off the table, such bilateral resets may pave the way for pragmatic cooperation on key issues like migration, energy, and regional security.
Outlook
Though challenges remain, the state visit has been largely well received by political observers and the public alike. With the symbolic and strategic elements of the entente amicale now in motion, both London and Paris appear poised to redefine their future—not through confrontation, but collaboration.
Whether this new chapter will endure through domestic political pressures and evolving global dynamics remains to be seen, but for now, the Channel seems just a bit narrower.
