Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, attended the commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings at the American cemetery in Normandy, at Colleville-sur-Mer, on June 6, 2024. However, Macron arrived fifteen minutes late to the British ceremony held at the British Memorial site in Ver-sur-Mer. The protocol did not wait for the presidential couple, and the ceremony began without them. There were no applause or warm greetings upon their arrival, and the British were not pleased with Macron’s tardiness.
This incident of Macron’s delay is not the first time such a situation has occurred. Back in 2014, during the commemorations of the 70th anniversary of D-Day, Queen Elizabeth II had to wait for twenty minutes in her official car before she could leave due to issues concerning the size of Barack Obama’s limousine. The British are known for their punctuality, and Macron’s behavior was seen as disrespectful towards the British hosts. Journalist Marc Roche highlighted this cultural difference in punctuality between the French and the British, particularly when it comes to heads of state.
The delay caused by Macron’s tardiness extended to the American ceremony at the Colleville-sur-Mer cemetery, where the Bidens had to wait for the Macrons to arrive before starting the ceremony. This delay was not only an inconvenience for the attending dignitaries but also for the elderly veterans who had to endure the extended wait under the sun. It was a challenging and uncomfortable situation for all involved, particularly those who had been eagerly anticipating the timely start of the ceremony.
Despite the initial delays, Macron managed to arrive on time for the afternoon ceremony in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, where he welcomed a group of international dignitaries invited by France for the occasion. The incident of his tardiness at the earlier events had caused some embarrassment and criticism, with many questioning how the French President could be late for such important international events held in his own country. Macron’s ability to adjust his schedule for the later ceremony showed a sense of responsibility and respect towards the guests and the significance of the occasion.
Overall, the incident of Macron’s delay at the D-Day commemorations highlighted the importance of punctuality and cultural awareness in international diplomacy. It also served as a reminder of the need for world leaders to be mindful of their actions and behaviors, as they can have implications beyond just personal impressions. In the context of such solemn and historically significant events, timeliness and respect for protocol are crucial in maintaining diplomatic relations and honoring the sacrifices of those who fought in the D-Day landings.
