France's Emmanuel Macron 'set for UK state visit in weeks' - months before Donald Trump

Britain is expected to roll-out the red carpet for France's Emmanuel Macron - months before the US President Donald Trump.

The French President has been invited by the King on his first state visit to the UK at the end of May, according to reports. Mr Macron, who took office at the Elysee Palace almost eight years ago, was never given the honour under the Conservatives.

Disaster ex-PM Liz Truss even mocked the French leader, questioning whether he was a "friend or foe" to the UK as she ran for the Tory leadership.

But Keir Starmer has been attempting to restore relations with EU leaders, pressing on with his "reset" after years of divisive debate over Brexit. The PM is also set to host a major UK-EU summit on May 19 in London including the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

It comes after Mr Trump let slip his own second state visit to the UK could be in September when quizzed by reporters in the Oval Office. The red-carpet was previously rolled out for the Republican leader with a grand UK state visit - hosted by the late Queen - during his first term in 2019.

Mr Trump said on Thursday evening he did not "know how it can be bigger than the last one" but that "they say it's going to be even more important".

But thousands protested during the event and a giant inflatable of a Trump "baby blimp" - showing the US President wearing a nappy - was flown over Parliament Square. And on Friday the campaign group Stop Trump Coalition pledged to meet his next visit to the UK with "huge numbers" out on the streets.

They said in a statement: "Donald Trump is not welcome in Britain. We will build the broadest possible alliance for a truly massive demonstration against his visit. During his first term, we mobilised hundreds of thousands of people against Trump.

"This time it will be even bigger, uniting campaigners across a huge range of issues. The UK government should not roll out the red carpet for Trump or do dirty deals with him."

Mr Starmer handed the US President the "truly historic" personal invitation from the King for a second state visit during February's White House visit. Precedent for second-term US presidents who have already made a state visit is usually tea or lunch with the monarch at Windsor Castle, as was the case for George W Bush and Barack Obama.

Both Mr Trump and Mr Macron's state visits are expected to take place at Windsor Palace due to refurbishment works at Buckingham Palace. No10 declined to comment.