Queen Camilla rejects Brigitte Macron's hand-holding on the D-Day memorial

The wives of French President Emmanuel Macron and King Charles III experienced an embarrassing moment on Thursday after they visited the D-Day memorial in Normandy, France.

After laying wreaths at the bottom of the memorial to commemorate the eightieth anniversary of D-Day, Brigitte Macron might be seen repeatedly and unsuccessfully reaching for Queen Camilla's hand as they each backed away from the memorial. reported the Daily Mail.

Macron can have wanted the 2 women to hitch hands in a solemn moment to indicate their unity. They were among the many heads of state and dignitaries who paid homage to the Allied forces of World War II who stormed the beaches of Normandy and risked their lives in a surprise invasion that ultimately led to the liberation of Nazi-occupied Europe and the top of the war just over a yr later.

But Camilla's silent rejection of Macron's hand-holding made it clear that the French president's wife mistakenly assumed an affection between her and the British king's wife that she didn’t share.

It may be because Macron comes from a culture where individuals are considered tactile and like to indicate their affection to others through physical contact. The British, then again, are known for his or her reserved nature. This is particularly true of the British royal family.

The Daily Mail reported that Macron's try to hold Camilla's hand – nevertheless well-intentioned – might be a breach of protocol. “Coming into contact with members of the royal family is always a sensitive subject,” the Daily Mail said.

VER-SUR-MER, FRANCE - JUNE 06: King Charles III, President of France, Emmanuel Macron, Queen Camilla and Brigitte Macron during the commemoration ceremony organized by the British Ministry of Defence and the Royal British Legion at the British Normandy Memorial to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day on June 6, 2024 in Ver-Sur-Mer, France. Various events are taking place in Normandy at significant sites such as the Pegasus Bridge, Sainte-Mère-Église and Pointe du Hoc to officially commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings on June 6, 1944. (Photo by Eddie Mulholland - Pool/Getty Images)
VER-SUR-MER, FRANCE – JUNE 06: King Charles III, President of France, Emmanuel Macron, Queen Camilla and Brigitte Macron throughout the commemoration ceremony organized by the British Ministry of Defence and the Royal British Legion on the British Normandy Memorial to mark the eightieth anniversary of D-Day on June 6, 2024 in Ver-Sur-Mer, France. Various events are happening in Normandy at significant sites resembling the Pegasus Bridge, Sainte-Mère-Église and Pointe du Hoc to officially commemorate the eightieth anniversary of the Allied landings on June 6, 1944. (Photo by Eddie Mulholland – Pool/Getty Images)

According to the royal family website, there are “no mandatory rules of conduct” when meeting the Queen or some other member of the royal family, but there may be an unwritten rule that one shouldn’t transcend a handshake. Perhaps there may be also a problem with Macron not wearing gloves while Camilla's gloves were covered. The Daily Beast said The most appropriate thing to do is often to attend until the Royal makes contact.

Unfortunately, Macron didn't get the hint straight away, because Camilla kept her hands firmly at her sides, making it clear that she had no intention of constructing physical contact. But Macron persistently reached for Camilla's hand. Camilla, in turn, resisted and kept her hands at her sides, so Macron finally got the message. She gave Camilla's hand a lightweight squeeze after which let go, and the 2 women stood awkwardly next to one another, heads bowed, not touching.

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