First Lady Pool Reports of July 26, 2024

FLOTUS arrived at Élysée Palace at 4:38 p.m. local time (10:38 a.m. ET) for a welcome reception hosted by President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron. Pool did not travel/arrive with FLOTUS.

FLOTUS was wearing a periwinkle (or was it cornflower?) set, and walked on the long red carpet through the exterior courtyard; about 30 uniformed members of the French Republican Guard stood at attention on her left, and a couple hundred journalists and photographers — shutters fluttering — were on her right. The First Lady initially ignored a photographer's call of "Mrs. Biden," as she waited in a short receiving line with Denise Campbell Bauer, the U.S. Ambassador to France.

The Macrons — already having welcomed most of the other guests — greeted Dr. Biden about halfway up the carpet (the president in a dark navy suit and dark navy tie, Mme. Macron in a marzipan-colored, trenchcoat-like outfit and matching heels).

Pool couldn't hear dialogue between them but the gestures were warm. The weather is overcast with an occasional light sprinkle of rain.

The First Lady walked into the Elysée at 4:46 p.m. local time, posing for photos with the Macrons under the Olympic rings affixed to the facade of the palace.

Eighty-five (85) heads of state (or stand-ins for them) were expected at the Élysée reception, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Other expected guests included UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank.

Next this evening, FLOTUS is expected to attend the Opening Ceremonies, which begin at 7:30 local time, with Amb. Bauer. Pool will not be accompanying for that — it will be televised — so we have a lid.

Background from the White House: This was FLOTUS's third encounter with the Macrons this year. In June the Bidens traveled to France for a state visit and to commemorate in Normandy the 80th anniversary of D Day. In July the Macrons were in Washington for the 2024 NATO summit.

Text with questions.