Macron Awards Starmer the Légion d'Honneur for Role in European Security

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LONDON — French President Emmanuel Macron presented U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer with one of France’s highest honors — the Légion d’honneur — in recognition of his contribution to Europe’s security.

Macron bestowed the award on Tuesday as the two leaders met in Paris for the latest session of the Coalition of the Willing, a gathering of allies led by Britain and France that has pledged to help secure a ceasefire in Ukraine.

The French president said Starmer had played a “historic role” in convening the coalition, and thanked him for his “personal leadership” and the “commitments” he had made for the “security of our Europe, Ukraine [and] the bilateral relationship.”

“I have to say, all the human qualities that we learn to appreciate, all those remain very important to all of us. We found with you a very reliable and friendly partner,” he added.

Starmer arrived in Paris Monday for celebrations marking Bastille Day, one of his final foreign engagements as prime minister before stepping down.

He has been credited with trying to rebuild relations with other European capitals — particularly France and Germany — and providing steady support for Ukraine throughout a difficult period for peace talks.

His successor, Andy Burnham, has promised an “even closer relationship” with Europe but has not yet revealed how he hopes to make progress on several outstanding issues with the EU that have eluded Starmer.

Starmer is the first British prime minister to receive the Légion d’honneur. The only other British leader who has been honored by the French state is Winston Churchill, who received the highest award, the Grand-Croix of the Légion d’honneur – in recognition of his leadership during the Second World War.