I must sit beside, not behind, my husband, insists Mrs Macron
BRIGITTE Macron has been dubbed the new Marie Antoinette as it emerged she wants to sit beside, not behind, her husband at state functions.
The first lady of France, who is understood to be preparing to take on a greater role in 2018, is apparently not happy with the current protocol.
She is said to have told those close to her: ‘A woman today should not be behind.’
A source close to Emmanuel Macron’s wife told radio station RTL that she had said: ‘A woman can exist without her husband. In ceremonies abroad, for example, she no longer wants to be sat behind the head of state.’
Traditionally, a consort would normally be seen behind the leader – in Britain, for example, Prince Philip walks a few steps behind the Queen instead of beside her.
But it seems the French president’s wife is keen to enact a sea change at the Elysee Palace.
Her new regime will be put to the test during a three-day visit to China next week.
The former teacher has reportedly devoted her time to reading about the country so that she is well briefed on arrival.
However, next week’s trip won’t be the first time that Mrs Macron, 64, has broken protocol. In September at the UN, she refused to sit in the second row assigned to spouses – instead positioning herself with the French delegation.
It is also understood that this year Mrs Macron, who is 24 years older than her husband, is keen to ramp up her role.
It is believed she wants to focus on education and the disabled – and has reportedly been given ‘carte blanche’ as long as she does not ‘tread on her husband’s toes’.
An insider said that Mrs Macron, who met Mr Macron, 40, when she worked at a school where
‘New Marie Antoinette’
he was a pupil, had seen 2017 as an ‘exploration phase’ but that 2018 will be the year she really ‘finds her place’.
However, Mrs Macron’s increasingly important role on the French political scene has attracted criticism.
Many detractors took to social media to liken her to Louis XVI’s wife, beheaded in 1793 in the midst of the French Revolution.
Twitter user Serge Malen wrote: ‘Brigitte Macron wants to take on a more important role at the Elysee. She wants to become the Queen of France! Will she be the new Marie Antoinette?’
And far-Right MP Gilbert Collard, who is close to Front National leader Marine Le Pen tweeted : ‘I can well imagine [Emmanuel] Macron two steps behind, sucking his presidential thumb.’
A source in Mr Macron’s En Marche party said: ‘Madame Macron is very keen to have a bigger role, and this includes standing next to the president when they’re in the public eye.
‘Unfortunately she’s not the new Marie Antoinette, and a lot of people are criticising her for acting like she is.’