A State visit is the highest level of international visit and is accorded to heads of state and government or their representatives. It demonstrates the friendly relations between two countries and is usually accompanied by official ceremonies, diplomatic events and lavish banquets.
A visit from a head of state must be at the invitation of the host country and the visitor should be a serving monarch, president or prime minister. The visit must also be a reciprocal one. The highest type of visit is a State visit, followed by an Official Visit, and then a Working Visit.
In the UK, a state visit can include inspecting a guard of honour on Horse Guards Parade and an arrival ceremony at the Palace. It can feature a 21 gun salute, gifts being exchanged and the visiting head of state often gives a speech at a State banquet. The visits can last for a few days and are hosted by The King or Queen.
Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Britain in September will be the first state visit by a European Union leader since Brexit and is expected to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to democracy, law and international order. But how does a visit to the UK receive this status and who decides?
In this edition of our series, we explore the history of state visits and why they matter. From the regal pageantry of Buckingham Palace to the intimate moments between hosts and guests, this Insight looks at how state visits are created and what happens behind the scenes.
About the Author
