Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte visit Luxembourg

French President, Emmanuel Macron, visited Luxembourg with his wife, Brigitte Macron, on Tuesday.

The President touched down at Findel airport at the end of the afternoon and was greeted by Luxembourg Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, Grand Duke Henri's head of cabinet, Michel Heintz, the head of government protocol, Paul Schmit, and French ambassador to Luxembourg, Bruno Perdu.

Macron's wife, Brigitte, arrived ahead of her husband and discovered Luxembourg city and its Corniche along with Bettel's husband, Gauthier Destenay, as well as Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel's partner, Amélie Derbaudrenghien.

At the end of the afternoon Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron arrived at the Grand Ducal Palace, where more than 200 people had gathered to see them.

The couple arrived to cheers from the crowd and both stopped to shake hands and take selfies before entering the palace.

Inside the palace, they met the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess in the Salon des Rois where they posed for an official photo.

Following their visit to the palace, the French President attended a meeting with Bettel and Michel at Senningen castle while Brigitte Macron took part in a cultural tour organised for the head of states' partners and visited the cultural centre of Neimënster and MUDAM.

According to Bettel, the aim of the meeting at Senningen castle was to contribute towards "revitalising" the European Union and exchange views on issues which are at the centre of citizens' interests, particularly the fight against terrorism, the strengthening of a social Europe and the digital market.

Their meeting ended with a press conference and Bettel confirmed his support to Macron in his fight against social dumping, "for a fair internal market".

With regards to the implementation of a multi-speed Europe, Bettel explained it already exists through Schengen or the eurozone and that "we should not be blocked".

He agreed with Macron that Cattenom nuclear power station is "a discussion which should take place at our level" and pleaded for "a direct communication" between them on the subject.

Bettel also reminded that his government is prepared to financially contribute to the implementation of a renewable energy park if the nuclear station closes.

Macron highlighted that the links between Luxembourg and France are "everyday ties" and referred to the "French talents" present in the Grand-Duchy and the importance of cross-border workers who earn their living in Luxembourg.

Speaking about cross-border mobility, he said he was willing to hold discussions with the Presidents of the regions in question in order to advance concrete projects.

The day came to an end with a private dinner hosted by Xavier Bettel.

(By Christelle Brucker, translated by Heledd Pritchard)