🥂 “Might Get Slapped by the First Lady?”

🥂 “Might Get Slapped by the First Lady?”

President Macron’s Wink Scandal and the Subtle Boundaries of Diplomatic Etiquette

By: Haeyeon Kim, Senior Researcher, Institute for International Protocol

On July 8, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron drew global attention for an unexpected gesture during a state banquet held at Windsor Castle, UK. After a toast, President Macron smiled and gave a wink to Princess Catherine, the Princess of Wales. In a moment caught on camera, what stood out most was not the toast—but his left eye.

“He’s going to get slapped by the First Lady for that!”

This moment became a viral meme and sparked a wave of reactions across social media, British tabloids, and French online communities. But beyond the laughter lies a deeper discussion about cultural interpretation, diplomacy, and gender sensitivity.

🎭 French Charm or Diplomatic Misstep?

In French culture, a wink is often considered a playful and friendly nonverbal gesture. President Macron is well known for using informal cues like winks and pats on the shoulder, even in official contexts.

However, the recipient of the wink in this case was a senior member of the British royal family, and the setting was a historic state visit—the first in 17 years. According to official British royal protocol, only neutral expressions and non-contact greetings are deemed appropriate. Winking falls outside such formal decorum and may be interpreted as overly familiar or disrespectful.

💬 Media and Public Reactions

French Media British Media Social Commentary

“It’s nothing” “Macron being Macron” “Tacky and disrespectful” “Trivializing royal diplomacy” “Brigitte’s probably having a talk with him tonight”

The phrase “He’s going to get slapped by the First Lady” may seem like a joke, but beneath the humor lies a critique of gender sensitivity and the blurred line between charm and impropriety. Some feminist voices pointed out that “overfamiliarity from men in power must always be held accountable, regardless of cultural norms.”

🎓 Expert View: Diplomacy and Body Language

A simple wink might appear harmless, but to foreign policy experts, it falls into the category of “non-verbal diplomatic risk.” Especially in state visits involving monarchies, body language can carry more weight than official speeches.

> “President Macron’s wink could be seen not as flexibility, but as a lack of diplomatic awareness.”

– Richard Haass, former President of the Council on Foreign Relations

🤔 Was It Really “Slap-Worthy”?

President Macron has not offered a public explanation or follow-up gesture since the incident. In contrast, Princess Catherine responded with a graceful smile, upholding the royal family’s strategy of dignified silence.

First Lady Brigitte Macron also made no comment in public, but meme culture online humorously speculated: “He’s sleeping on the couch tonight.”

🧾 Conclusion: A Wink That Revealed Cultural Gaps

“It’s just a wink—why the fuss?” is a valid response from a French cultural lens. But in diplomatic terms, cultural differences often become interpretive landmines, and those interpretations can lead to real tension.

What began as a light-hearted moment escalated into a global debate about etiquette, gender, diplomacy, and public leadership. Macron’s wink reminds us that every gesture by a public figure is a performance—meant not just for its immediate audience, but for the world to dissect.

📌 Key Takeaways

Macron winked at Princess Catherine during a state banquet → triggered controversy.

Seen as playful in France; potentially inappropriate under British royal protocol.

Divided opinions: “Just friendly” vs. “Undignified and improper.”

Sparked debate on cultural norms, gender respect, and diplomatic etiquette.

#MacronWinkControversy #PrincessCatherine #RoyalProtocol #DiplomaticEtiquette #FrenchCulture #GenderAwareness #StateBanquet