Queen Camilla and Brigitte Macron Have Awkward Moment at D-Day Event as Royal Avoids Holding First Lady's Hand

Queen Camilla didn't reciprocate the French president's wife's attempt to hold hands after laying wreaths

French First Lady Brigitte Macron reached to hold Queen Camilla's hand at an event commemorating D-Day, but the move didn't go as planned.

Queen Camilla, 76, and Brigitte, 71, had an awkward moment on June 6 during a service marking the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings in Normandy, France. As seen in a video shared to X by the Daily Mail, French President Emmanuel Macron's wife tried to hold the royal's hand after they laid wreaths at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer. However, Queen Camilla didn't reciprocate, keeping her arm at her side. After briefly grasping the royal's hand, Brigitte stepped to the side and folded her arms in front of her.

The two women then stood for a silent moment before rejoining their husbands, King Charles and President Macron.

Related: Prince William Joins Royals and World Leaders as He Stands in for King Charles at D-Day Event

Proper etiquette around interacting with the British royals has long been a highly discussed subject. The royal family's website, which has yet to be updated in full following the death of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022, states, "There are no obligatory codes of behavior when meeting The Queen or a member of the royal family, but many people wish to observe the traditional forms."

The site defines this as a slight neck bow from the head for men and a small curtsy for women, "although a handshake is also acceptable."

Proving that there are no hard and fast rules around how to say hello, King Charles, 75, greeted President Macron with a hug at the British Normandy Memorial and kissed his wife's hand.

Related: Why Did Queen Camilla Wear Pink to Emotional D-Day Anniversary Event?

The visit to the beachfront British Normandy Memorial was a reunion for the royals and the Macrons, who spent time together in September 2023 when the King and Queen traveled to France for a state visit. On the anniversary, the couples paid their respects at the event commemorating the landmark anniversary of the D-Day Landings organized by the Ministry of Defense and the Royal British Legion.

The service was organized in tribute to the massive military operation involving around 156,000 men, 7,000 ships and 10,000 vehicles that attacked German forces in Normandy on June 6, 1944. The campaign served as a crucial turning point in World War II and the beginning of the liberation of Nazi-occupied northwest Europe.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murthy, also attended the ceremony at the British Normandy Memorial, which was especially significant for the King to attend as it marked his first international trip since his cancer diagnosis. The monarch resumed public-facing duties in late April after Buckingham Palace announced that he was diagnosed with cancer and started treatment in February.

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The King and Queen wrapped their formal morning with the event at the British Normandy Memorial, where they met veterans and opened the Winston Churchill Education and Learning Centre. Meanwhile, the Macrons moved to the international commemorative ceremony at Omaha Beach in Saint Laurent sur Mer with Prince William and over 25 heads of state, veterans and royals.

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