British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron met at 10 Downing Street on Wednesday (July 9).

The two leaders were accompanied by their wives, Victoria Starmer and Brigitte Macron.

During the state visit, the first by a European leader since Britain's exit from the European Union in 2020, Starmer will likely try to persuade Macron to agree to a returns deal for asylum seekers.

Such an agreement would help the British leader meet a pledge to stop the flow of tens of thousands of people into Britain from across the Channel.

Macron said on Tuesday (July 8) that French and British interior ministers had worked on the issue and he hoped for tangible results this week.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted French President Emmanuel Macron at Downing Street on the second day of a state visit on Wednesday (July 9), with the pair poised to discuss subjects like immigration and Ukraine.

Macron thanked Starmer and Britain's King Charles for their welcome during the state visit, the first by a European leader since Britain's exit from the European Union in 2020.

During their meetings, Starmer will likely try to persuade Macron to agree to a returns deal for asylum seekers.

Such an agreement would help the British leader meet a pledge to stop the flow of tens of thousands of people into Britain from across the Channel.

Macron said on Tuesday (July 8) that French and British interior ministers had worked on the issue and he hoped for tangible results this week.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 9, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON AND HIS WIFE BRIGITTE WALKING AT 10 DOWNING STREET / BRITISH PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER AND HIS WIFE GREETING MACRONS THEN WALKING OVER TO DOOR

2. THE STARMERS AND MACRONS POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHS AND ENTERING 10 DOWNING STREET

LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 9, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. BRITISH PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER AND FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON WALKING INSIDE DOWNING STREET 10 / MACRON AND STARMER SHAKING HANDS AND POSING FOR PHOTOS BEFORE SITTING DOWN / MACRON SEATED

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, KEIR STARMER, SAYING: (AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING)

"To lay the wreaths at Churchill and Gaulle yesterday was a real reminder of the strength, of the bond between our countries. But we're not just looking back, we're looking forward and whether it's on defence and security, whether it's on Ukraine, whether it's on trade and the economy, business opportunities, capabilities, we think alike, we work together and I feel this relationship is as strong as it's ever been between our countries."

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING: (AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING)

"A game changer for not just Europeans, but a lot of these issues. So I want to thank you for your hospitality, the great discussions we already had yesterday evening and I thank obviously his majesty the King and the whole country for this warm welcome." / MACRON AND STARMER SHAKING HANDS