French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump to the historic Palace of Versailles on Wednesday as part of efforts to improve relations between Washington and its European allies.
The French leader and his wife greeted Trump on the steps of the former royal residence before posing for photographs together. Upon arriving, Trump expressed his admiration for the landmark, simply describing it as “beautiful.”
The dinner at the palace came after Trump accepted Macron’s invitation during the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Evian-les-Bains, saying he was a “fan of beautiful places.”
Speaking ahead of the visit, Trump praised Versailles, calling it one of the most magnificent buildings in the world.
“Versailles is not gold leaf. Versailles is the real deal,” he said during the summit.
Later, he added: “This evening I’m looking forward to a very special dinner with President Macron and his fabulous wife in the Palace of Versailles. It’s a beautiful palace, maybe the most beautiful of all.”
The high-profile meeting followed what both European and American officials described as a successful G7 summit, where leaders managed to reach a joint statement on Ukraine despite longstanding differences on several major issues.
Relations between Trump and many European leaders have often been strained over disputes involving tariffs, the conflict in Ukraine and the ongoing war involving Iran. However, both sides indicated that recent discussions had been more constructive.
Located near Paris, Palace of Versailles was originally built in the 17th century under Louis XIV and became a symbol of the power and grandeur of the French monarchy.
Known as the Sun King, Louis XIV transformed Versailles into the seat of his royal court and one of the most lavish palaces in Europe.
Although France is now a republic, modern French presidents have continued to use the palace as a venue for hosting world leaders and showcasing French culture and influence.
According to Jeffrey Hawkins, a former U.S. diplomat and expert on Franco-American relations, the setting was intended to make Trump feel welcomed and respected.
“In any leader’s relationship, whether we’re talking about Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin or Macron, you want to be on this American president’s good side,” Hawkins said.
“And a way to do that is to host him in a way where he feels well-received, where he feels important and respected.”
As Trump’s motorcade approached Versailles, crowds gathered along the route to catch a glimpse of the visiting president.
The lavish dinner underscored Macron’s efforts to maintain close ties with Washington despite policy disagreements and highlighted the enduring importance of the U.S.-French alliance at a time of growing geopolitical tensions.
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