Global (Commonwealth Union) _ Sir Elton John and Sir Mick Jagger set foot in Windsor Castle on July 8, joining King Charles and Queen Camilla, along with a number of dignitaries and stars, for a state banquet that was held in honour of the French President Emmanuel Macron.
The historic banquet marked the first French state visit to the UK since 2008 and brought together prominent political figures and artistic icons for a celebration that emphasised the strength of UK–France relations.
Dressed in elegant white-tie attire, Sir Mick Jagger, the frontman of the Rolling Stones, arrived with his fiancée, Melanie Hamrick, on his arm, turning heads as he joined royals, world leaders, and celebrities for the glittering affair that was held in St George’s Hall. Legendary singer Sir Elton John also attended the lavish ceremony, accompanied by his partner, David Furnish.
Both musicians share a deep connection with France, with Jagger owning a château in the Loire Valley and Elton possessing a French retreat with his primary residence located in Old Windsor, just minutes away from the castle.
Both Mick Jagger and Elton John have played major roles in shaping modern-day culture and international relations in Britain through their music and the effort they have put into charity. Elton is renowned for delivering a performance of “Candle in the Wind,” in which he rephrased some lyrics to say “Goodbye England’s Rose”, as a tribute to Princess Diana at her funeral. His apparent friendship with Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is yet another royal link that makes the artist’s presence at the event much more than a symbolic happenstance.
Seated between the Duchess of Gloucester and David Furnish, Sir Elton was given special consideration due to his ongoing vision issues, a result of a severe eye infection. Traditionally, royal banquets separate couples, but the seating plan adapted to accommodate the icon’s health needs.
Mick Jagger, meanwhile, was positioned between actress Dame Kristin Scott Thomas and Alice Rufo, a top official in the French Ministry for the Armed Forces. The rock star, whose place card read “Sir Michael Jagger,” brought a touch of effortless cool to the royal occasion—just days after also appearing at Versailles during the King and Queen’s 2023 state visit to France.
The menu, curated by French-British culinary legend Raymond Blanc, celebrated the culinary alliance between the two nations, with highlights including chicken with Norfolk asparagus, iced blackcurrant parfait, and a bespoke cocktail called L’entente, combining British gin and French pastis.
But the true flavour of the evening came from the cultural power on display—embodied by Elton and Mick.
Also present at the celebration were Princess Kate, seated beside President Macron, and Prince William, along with actress Kristin Scott Thomas, footballer Mary Earps, author Sebastian Faulks, sculptor Sir Antony Gormley, and even French pop star Mika and First Dates presenter Fred Sirieix.
In his speech, King Charles moved between English and French, highlighting the “deep and enduring friendship” between the UK and France. “France is one of our strongest allies, as well as a country for which my wife and I have deep affection personally,” he said, before proposing a toast “to France and to our new Entente… not only past and present, but for the future—and no longer just cordiale, but now amicale.”
While the historic significance of the night could not be understated, it was the magnetic presence of two of Britain’s greatest living performers—Sir Elton and Sir Mick—that gave the occasion its most glamorous edge.
