A look at photos as the Bidens attend the French state dinner marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day

President Biden said France was America’s “first friend” at its founding and one of its closest allies more than two centuries later, as he was honored with a visit from State Saturday by French President Emmanuel Macron aimed to show their partnership on global security issues and ease past trade tensions.

“United we stand, divided we fall,” Macron said as he toasted Mr Biden at a state dinner. “Allies we are and allies we will remain.”

Mr Biden and Macron attended the ceremonies on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Landing Thursday and met separately the next day with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris. The leaders both used the commitments to emphasize the urgent need to support kyiv’s fight against the Russian invasion.

Notable guests at Saturday’s state dinner include actress Salma Hayek, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, former tennis player John McEnroe and his wife American singer Patty Smyth. Singer Pharrell Williams performed in front of the participants.

Pharrell Williams and his wife Helen Lasichanh arrive at dinner. He must perform in front of the guests.

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife, French-Italian model and musician Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, were present at the dinner.

Actress Salma Hayek and her husband François-Henri Pinault, billionaire and CEO of Kering SA, were present at the state dinner.

Former tennis player John McEnroe and his wife singer Patty Smyth arrive at the French state dinner.

The state visit began Saturday with a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, including a wreath-laying at the French tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and a military parade along the Champs-Élysées leading to the Élysée Palace, where both men held official meetings and gave speeches. public statements. Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, hosted a state dinner at the palace for Biden and his wife, Jill.

The US president followed Macron’s toast by saying the United States and France were “inflexible and unwavering in their partnership”, adding: “That’s what democracies do.”

Mr Biden and Macron have put the war in Ukraine at the top of Saturday’s agenda, but it is the strength of the two countries’ long alliance, fortified in Normandy 80 years ago but with roots much further back. deep, which was the centerpiece of the weekend.

Calling himself a student of French history, Mr. Biden said the visit was a “great honor” and he noted that America’s ties to France date back to the Revolutionary War.

“France was our first friend,” Mr. Biden said. “He remains one of our best friends.”

Macron praised Mr Biden not only as the leader of a world power, but also for bringing “the clarity and loyalty of a partner who loves and respects Europeans”.

The two leaders also celebrated Saturday’s rescue by Israeli forces of four hostages taken by Hamas. “We will not stop working until all the hostages return home and a ceasefire is reached,” Biden said as Macron called on the Israeli government not to do more to transport humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Macron said he supported a ceasefire proposal promoted by Biden that would allow an influx of humanitarian aid into the territory and enable the release of more hostages. The United States said it was awaiting Hamas’ official response to the potential deal.