Her husband may be touching down in Salzburg to help reinvigorate European Union unity but it was his 64-year-old wife who commanded all the attention on day one of the couple’s tour.
Brigitte Macron upstaged her husband thanks to her rather racy sartorial choice at Salzburg airport on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister’s wife showcased her toned legs in a thigh-skimming red dress, which was embellished with a hem-to-neckline zip. The youthful blonde offset her look with vertiginous heels and oversized shades.
The couple were greeted by Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern and his wife Eveline Steinberger at the Salzburg airport ahead of the Salzburg Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Republic of Austria, the French Republic, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic.
Brigitte Macron upstaged her husband thanks to her rather racy sartorial choice at Salzburg airport on Wednesday. Macron and his wife were greeted by Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern and his wife Eveline Steinberger-Kern
The Prime Minister’s wife showcased her toned legs in a thigh-skimming red dress as she stepped off the plane at Salzburg airport
French President Emmanuel Macron’s wife Brigitte Macron (R) and Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern’s wife Eveline Steinberger-Kern shared a laugh
French President Emmanuel Macron is meeting with the leaders of Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia as part of a tour of central and eastern Europe aimed at reinvigorating European Union unity after Britain’s decision to leave.
Macron is also pushing for tighter rules to protect workers in prosperous countries in Western Europe from cheaper labor.
The French leader is set to raise concerns over so-called “posted workers” – those who are temporarily posted abroad by companies in their home countries – as he makes his first visit to the region.
He is to speak with Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern, Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka and Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico in Salzburg on Wednesday.
Other issues on Macron’s agenda during his three-day visit are European defense and migration policies.
The 64-year-old offset her look with vertiginous heels and oversized shades for the occasion
French President Emmanuel Macron is meeting with the leaders of Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia over the next few days
French President Emmanuel Macron (2nd R), Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern (C) and their their wifes Brigitte Macron (2nd L) and Eveline Steinberger-Kern (L) listen in during a piano masterclass by French pianist Dominique Merlet
The French couple were treated to a brief tour of the sights ahead of a concert
The couple’s appearance comes after it was announced on Monday that Brigitte is to carry out charity work as France’s unofficial First Lady.
Brigitte, 64, who earlier this week opened up on the age difference between she andMr Macron, 39, will focus on helping children and handicapped people.
She will have two presidential advisors, as well as her own cabinet, and will be at her husband’s side during international summits.
Proposals to give her official First Lady status were shelved due to opposition but an online petition to grant her the title – which would have require a change in the law – has been signed by more than 300,000.
The couple’s appearance comes after it was announced on Monday that Brigitte is to carry out charity work as France ‘s unofficial First Lady
At the start of the week she spoke for the first time about being married to a man 25 years her junior, saying: ‘The only problem is that he’s younger than me’.
In a brutally honest interview, she admitted that she was reminded of the age gap every morning when she looked at the boyish Mr Macron.
‘Of course, we have breakfast, me with my wrinkles, him with freshness, but that’s how it is,’ said Mrs Macron.
She also spoke out after public pressure forced the Macrons to abandon their plans to give Mrs Macron the official title of First Lady – claiming she was not too bothered.
‘I don’t feel like a First Lady,’ said Mrs Macron. ‘That’s the translation of an American expression, and I don’t like anything about it.’
Brigitte, 64, who yesterday opened up on the age difference between she and Mr Macron , 39, will focus on helping children and handicapped people
An opinion poll in early August showed the majority of French people were against her getting the title even though she is a popular figure.
She said in an interview with Elle magazine last week that she would be an unofficial First Lady in the mould of previous presidential spouses.
‘Like all of those before me, I will take on my public role, but the French people will know the resources at my disposal,’ she said.
She accompanied the president to a G7 summit in Italy and was also by his side when he welcomed US President Donald Trump to Paris in July.
Macron’s office had promised a ‘transparency charter’ which would make clear how much her role would cost.
Proposals to give her official First Lady status were shelved due to opposition but an online petition to grant her the title – which would have require a change in the law – has been signed by more than 300,000
Monday’s statement confirmed that she would not be paid but did not reveal the overall bill or the number of staff at her disposal.
‘In legal terms, the first lady still does not have any status,’ Jean-Joel Governatori, a constitutional lawyer, told AFP.
‘In the end, it doesn’t change anything, other than giving the illusion of transparency.’
President Macron has made a mixed start to his five-year term, which has seen his approval ratings topple to the mid-30 percent range after 100 days in office, according to recent opinion polls.
In her interview with Elle, Brigitte Macron also spoke about her marriage with Macron, who is 25 years younger than her and a former pupil in her drama classes at a Catholic high school in the northern city of Amiens.
‘When I read about us, I always have the impression I’m reading someone else’s story,’ she said. ‘Our story is so simple.’
Despite the difficulties their relationship caused – the mother-of-three divorced her first husband in 2006 – she said she had no regrets.