The White House and French government confirmed Saturday that President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron will share an evening meal at the historic Palace of Versailles following next week’s G7 summit of major industrialized nations in France.
According to senior administration officials who spoke anonymously under White House guidelines, Trump faces a packed agenda of individual meetings with international leaders alongside the main summit activities in the French lakeside community of Evian-les-Bains. The president is working to advance negotiations on completing an Iran war agreement in the near future.
French officials stated that Macron will welcome Trump for Wednesday evening’s dinner to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence at the Palace of Versailles, which they described as “a historic symbol of Franco-American friendship.”
The magnificent palace served as home to French monarchs spanning from Louis XIV through Louis XVI and continues to welcome world leaders and international dignitaries for official functions.
Macron previously welcomed King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the palace in 2021 for its 400th anniversary celebration, hosting them for dinner in the renowned Hall of Mirrors, among the palace’s 2,300 rooms.
The French leader also received Russian President Vladimir Putin at Versailles in 2017 when Macron had just taken office, before their relationship soured due to the Ukraine conflict.
Trump’s schedule includes an initial meeting with Macron following his Monday afternoon arrival in France. The Republican president plans to leave Washington after marking his 80th birthday with a primetime mixed martial arts event on the White House lawn Sunday.
Administration officials revealed Saturday that Trump has scheduled individual discussions with leaders from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and India, nations participating in the summit as Macron’s guests.
The G7 nations — consisting of the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan — will address topics including economic expansion and development, securing supply chains for essential minerals, unauthorized immigration and artificial intelligence developments.
The conflicts in Ukraine and Iran will feature prominently in discussions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend the gathering, though officials indicated no formal Trump-Zelenskyy meeting is planned, although an informal encounter remains possible.
