French President to visit Queen Elizabeth II

President Nicolas Sarkozy of France is to visit Her Majesty the Queen on his first State Visit to the United Kingdom since becoming President of the French Republic in 2007. The State Visit will begin on 26 March 2008 at Windsor Castle and will last until 28 March 2008.

For the first time in years, the official State welcoming ceremony and other State Visit related ceremonies such as the exchange of gifts and the always glittering State Banquet are to be held at Windsor Castle.

The last State Visit to be hosted at Windsor Castle was the State Visit by Their Majesties the King and Queen of Jordan to the United Kingdom in November 2001.

During his State Visit, President Sarkozy is expected to meet with the British Prime Minister, other government ministers, members of the opposition parties and leaders of commerce and industry.

Details of the programme of engagements for the French State Visit are yet to be finalized.