Macron leads worldwide tributes to the Queen on her Platinum Jubilee

Emmanuel Macron leads worldwide tributes to the Queen as he praises her ‘devotion and friendship’ and gifts her a horse on her Platinum Jubilee

  • Macron led world leaders congratulating the Queen on her Platinum Jubilee 
  • French President called her ‘the golden thread that binds our nations together’ 
  • Queen was also gifted a horse that belonged to the French Republican Guard 
  • Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese – a republican – will later rename an island in Canberra after Her Majesty 
  • Latest Platinum Jubilee news as the Queen celebrates 70 years of service

Emmanuel Macron has led world leaders in congratulating the Queen on her Platinum Jubilee as France gifted Her Majesty a horse to mark her historic 70 years on the throne today.

Macron described the Queen as the ‘golden thread that binds our nations together’ as he praised her ‘devotion to our alliance and to our friendship’ in a video message from the Elysee Palace this morning.

His warm wishes came ahead of a wreath-laying ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe during which the French and British national anthems will both be played, and after France gifted Her Majesty a horse as a nod to her love of all things equestrian.

The horse – a seven-year-old grey gelding called Fabuleu de Maucour – previously carried that French Republican Guard standard bearer during the May 8 anniversary parade in Paris marking victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War.

Emmanuel Macron led world leaders in paying tribute to the Queen today, congratulating her on a record-breaking 70 years on the throne

It was delivered to Windsor Castle on Wednesday with a ceremonial saddle and cavalry sabre display.

Addressing the Queen today, Marcon – speaking mostly in English but partially in French, which Her Majesty speaks fluently – congratulated her on her record-breaking reign which he said had been a ‘constant reliance’ for France.

‘Times have changed, Europe has evolved, our continent is again experiencing war,’ he said.

‘Throughout these transformations your devotion to our alliance and to our friendship has remained.’

He recalled ‘the dark days when your family welcomed General de Gaulle in your home’ during World War II, when the leader of the Free French and later founding president of France’s Fifth Republic took refuge in London from the Nazis.

Since then, in ‘a lifetime of devotion’, Macron said the Queen had ‘shared our joys, and seen the deep affection and admiration that the people of France have for you.’

Switching to French, he added: ‘Celebrating you today is celebrating the sincere and deep friendship which unites our two countries.’

Macron’s tribute led world leaders in paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth, with newly-elected Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expected to name an island after her later today – despite being a Republican.

Aspen Island, located in the middle of Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin, will be renamed Queen Elizabeth II Island instead.

Mr Albanese, who has previously declared his respect for the Queen, said it will be ‘an honour’ to take part in the ceremony. 

‘I have the privilege of lighting a beacon as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacons and to commence Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Australia,’ he said.

‘Australia will honour and pay tribute to the remarkable dedication and service of Her Majesty The Queen over the course of the Platinum Jubilee official celebrations.

‘I look forward to officially renaming Aspen Island to Queen Elizabeth II Island later this week as a mark of Australia’s appreciation and respect for Her Majesty.’

The ceremony to open the island will include a 21-gun salute, and a Royal Australian Air Force flypast.

For the next four days, the UK and its Commonwealth are celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee – 70 years since she was coronated, and a milestone that no monarch of these isles has passed before.

Elizabeth, then 25, became queen on February 6, 1952, following the death of her father, King George VI. 

Her formal coronation took place on June 2, 1953, in Westminster Abbey.

Now aged 96, she is this country’s longest-reigning monarch and the first to reach seven decades on the throne. 

Anthony Albanese, the new Australian Prime Minister who is also a Republican, will rename an island in Canberra after Queen Elizabeth later today

Aspen Island, located in the middle of Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin (pictured), will be renamed Queen Elizabeth II Island

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