Share and Follow
KING Charles has warned the small boats crisis is a “profound challenge” has he hosted Emmanuel Macron at a state banquet.
In his 15-minute long speech the King addressed the small boats crisis and spoke about a range of cross channel collaborations including in defending Ukraine.
Charles said: “Our security services and police will
go further still to protect us against the profound challenges of terrorism, organised crime, cyber-attacks and irregular migration across the English Channel.”
The King warned earlier this week that Britain cannot be a fortress despite “complex threats” and challenges that “know no borders”.
The deal came as the French President Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte flew into RAF Northolt in West London yesterday, where they were met by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
They later joined the King and Queen for a procession in Windsor town centre.
But the tapestry announcement has been eclipsed by crunch talks on the Channel migrant crisis, which are going right down to the wire before a summit between Mr Macron and Sir Keir this week.
A deal is expected to confirm new French tactics of puncturing small boats in the shallows, while a “one in, one out” returns agreement is still in the balance.
That arrangement is likely to centre on small boat migrants being returned to France in exchange for asylum-seekers who have family in the UK.
The deal has provoked a fresh row over cash, with Mr Macron expected to demand more money on top of the £480million already handed over since 2023 for his country to help stop small boat crossings.
Despite the costs to taxpayers mounting as crossings reached a record rate this year, No10 has refused to rule out stumping up more cash for the French.