French President Macron Breaks Royal Protocol at Windsor Ceremony

French President Emmanuel Macron sparked controversy during his State visit to the United Kingdom by walking ahead of King Charles III during a ceremonial troop inspection at Windsor Castle, an act viewed by many as a breach of royal protocol. The incident drew widespread criticism on social media, with users accusing Macron of deliberately disrespecting the British monarch and comparing his behavior to that of former US President Donald Trump, who faced backlash for a similar action during a 2018 State visit. Royal Correspondent Cameron Walker noted that the tradition might allow the host monarch to give way to the visiting head of state, but this explanation did little to quell public disapproval. Additionally, Macron broke another protocol by patting a King's Guard on the back while inspecting the troops, a gesture considered inappropriate during ceremonial duty. Despite attempts to clarify these actions as customary or friendly, the optics fueled accusations of arrogance and cultural insensitivity. The episode highlights ongoing tensions around protocol and respect in high-profile diplomatic events.