Candace Owens has staked her career on the fact that the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron was born a man.

The controversial conservative commentator went to X to promote the false theory hours after he laid it out an episode of her podcast.

It appears that French First Lady Brigitte Macron, 70, was actually born Jean-Michel Trogneux before eventually switching at the age of 30.

It goes on to say that she did not give birth to any of her three children, and that her first husband, a 69-year-old retired banker who is said to have died a recluse in 2020, never existed.

The conspiracy stems from a completely false claim made by the far-right magazine Faits et Documents (Facts & Documents) after Macron, 46, was elected.

But the debate was reignited last month after Emmanuel Macron’s stepdaughter, Tiphaine Auzière, gave an interview to Paris Match in which she addressed claims that her mother Brigitte was born male.

Ms. Auzière was only 10 when she discovered that her teacher’s mother had a student 25 years younger than her.

“I worry about the level of society when I hear what is circulating on social networks about the fact that my mother is a man,” she said.

Still, Owens revived the speculation on Tuesday before addressing those who disagreed.

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“After investigating this, I would stake my entire professional reputation on the fact that Brigitte Macron is in fact a man,” Owens, 34, wrote on the platform formerly known as Twitter, linking to the episode from the night before.

“Any journalist or publication that tries to dismiss this plausibility can immediately be identified as the establishment,” she charged.

‘I’ve never seen anything like that in my life. The implications here are terrifying.

“I have no intention of giving up on this story and I call on other journalists to investigate this explosive story and report accordingly.”

The night before, she brought up a 2021 Daily Mail article that debunked the speculation, before delving deeper into the theory surrounding the French head of state’s husband.

Ignoring the opinions of several seasoned experts interviewed for the piece, Owens presented the so-called findings of what she claimed was a “three year” investigation from the publication.

She further argued that if Brigitte really wanted to debunk the claims, she could simply release photos from the first thirty years of her life.

Owens also analyzed a rare family photo of Brigitte Macron’s family when she was a child, claiming she was a “dead ringer” for her older brother – before claiming they were the same person.

‘[The] The theory is that first lady Brigitte Macron was actually born Jean-Michel [Trogneux] – so Brigitte is actually Jean-Michel.

‘Jean-Michel lived as a man for thirty years, had five children, okay, and moved to Brigitte at the age of thirty.

She then took a ‘before and after photo’ that was reportedly used as part of the Faits et Documents investigation – a photo that used Chinese software to draw similarities between an undated photo of Brigitte’s brother and the first lady herself.

Owens, for his part, categorized the comparison as a dead ringer, telling her roughly three million subscribers, “I think it’s crazy that you wouldn’t say that these two individuals look alike.”

She then told her followers why she thinks this theory “has legs.”

The first obvious thing,” she said, “is that the first lady is simply not able to take pictures of herself for the first thirty years of her life.

“Guys, how easy is this to debunk – when you say Candace, no, actually you’ve lived 30 years as a man, I’ve lived 30 years: I’m going to show you every picture of every year I’ve lived.”

She then took several photos of her at different stages of her life to illustrate her point.

“Here I am in college, here I am when I was pregnant with my children. Here are me and my husband on our wedding day.

“There would be so many photos that Brigitte would need at her disposal if this weren’t true,” she claims, but there won’t be any.

‘No, they just call everyone wrong, retarded and transphobic. Just take the pictures.”

“Instead, the only photos they took that are circulating in the media are the ones I just showed you,” she added, referring to the photos showing Brigitte’s brother Jean-Michel Trogneux as a child , and also a young Brigitte.

“And, like I said, in the first photo she looks more like the Jean-Michel who she claims is actually her brother, which she won’t just present to the public,” Owens continued.

“If that is indeed your brother, please take him for a walk so we can capture him.”

Owens’ comments came days after Macron visibly fed up with the rumors at an International Women’s Day event on Friday, saying: “The worst thing is the false information and made-up scenarios.”

“People end up believing them and disturbing you, even in your intimacy,” he further claimed.

He added that transgender claims about Macron were typical of misogynistic online attacks that women face every day.

Two women who claimed that the Première Dame was born as a man were punished on appeal in June last year with a reduction of ‘symbolic fines’.

In turn, both claimed they were subjected to “intimidation by the authorities” as “ultra-protected” members of the Paris establishment tried to cover up a “state secret.”

All parties in the case accepted the fines imposed on appeal as a final settlement for what had caused enormous embarrassment to the First Couple.

The transphobic rumors about Brigitte Macron were first picked up by the far right in 2022, while the president was campaigning for re-election.

Groups including the Yellow Vests (Gilets Jaunes) and those protesting Covid vaccines then used the claims to attack the French.

Meanwhile, videos made by journalists touting the comparisons – just as Owens did – have since been removed from YouTube.

Daily Mail has contacted President Macron’s office for comment.

French President Emmanuel Macron labeled the move as a sign of a “universal message” and “French pride.” He also revealed that a special public ceremony will be organized to commemorate the change, which will take place on International Women’s Day on March 8.

Paris: On Monday, March 4, France became the first country in the world to include the right to abortion in its constitution. This happened after parliament approved an article that gave women the “guaranteed freedom” to follow the medical procedure necessary to terminate the pregnancy.

With 780 votes in favor and 72 against, the proposal received the three-fifths supermajority French parliamentarians needed to pass the amendment during a combined session of the House of Representatives and Senate at the Palace of Versailles.

Approval by majority

The majority of French parliamentarians at the joint session welcomed with loud cheers, cheers and standing ovations the final approval needed to make the “right to abortion” an official protection in the country’s constitution.

After the referendum, abortion rights activists gathered in central Paris to celebrate the change, cheering as the Eiffel Tower lit up to commemorate the occasion and proclaiming “MyBodyMyChoice.”

Compared to most other countries, France has a higher acceptance rate for abortion rights, with recent surveys showing that 80% of French citizens support the legalization of the procedure.

‘French pride’

“French pride” is how President Emmanuel Macron characterized the action, adding that it sends a “universal message.” He also announced that a unique public event in honor of the move will take place on March 8, International Women’s Day.

Article 34 of the French Constitution now states that “the law determines the circumstances under which a woman is guaranteed the freedom to have an abortion.”

Right to abortion: a fundamental step

In an attempt to convince MPs to approve the measure, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said before the vote: “We are sending a message to all women: your body is yours and no one can decide for you.” This is a “fundamental step… A step that will go down in history.”

The National Assembly and Senate previously approved the legislation. Joint sessions are not common, especially in France. Monday’s meeting marks the first time the constitution has been amended since 2008.

As the French public strongly supports the right to abortion, right-wing leader Marine Le Pen has accused Macron of introducing the law to score political points.

Exaggerated by the right to abortion

Ahead of Monday’s vote, Le Pen told reporters: “We will vote to include it in the Constitution because we have no problem with that.” However, she also criticized the idea as exaggerated because “no one in France is endangering the right to abortion.”

The French Prime Minister discussed in his speech how the right to abortion is still “in danger” worldwide. “You can go from one thing to the opposite in one generation, one year or one week,” Attal noted, referring to rights reversals in the US, Hungary and Poland.

What led to the inclusion of this right in the French Constitution?

However, activists in France put pressure on French lawmakers after the US Supreme Court decided in 2022 to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision, which recognized a woman’s right to abortion as a fundamental right.

“In the US, the right to abortion has declined. So nothing made us believe that France was immune to this danger,” said Laura Slimani, a rights activist at the Fondation des Femmes, as quoted by Reuters.

Protests against the law

Protesters opposed to abortion gathered in Versailles, close to the palace, to oppose the measure.

According to reports, Association of Catholic Families president Pascale Moriniere said the decision was a setback for pro-life activists.

It is also a setback for women… and of course for all the children who will not live to see the day,” she noted.

Emmanuel Macron’s stepdaughter has spoken for the first time about her mother’s scandalous affair with the future president of France.

In an interview that will make both Macron and his first lady, Brigitte Macron, uncomfortable to read, Tiphaine Auzière admits she is still wounded by the “forbidden relationship” between a married teacher and a teenage student.

Ms Auzière, who has just published her first novel, also used her conversation with Paris Match to address claims that Brigitte was born a man.

Ms. Auzière was only 10 when she discovered that her teacher mother had a student 25 years younger than her.

Brigitte was still married, so her three young children were left to constantly speculate about the ‘forbidden relationship’ in Amiens, northern France.

“I learned a lot about human nature,” Ms. Auzière, now 40, said in the interview published Thursday.

“I know that in these moments we must focus on the essentials and move forward without regard to criticism.

‘The attacks, the gossip, the judgments. It wasn’t yet the age of social networking, but we were in a small provincial town. Everything is known.

“Despite all this, they held on. I gained an open mind, a desire to move forward without listening to ambient noise, and a greater tolerance.”

Ms Auzière was particularly angry that her humiliated father, André-Louis Auzière, was forced to leave the family home in 1994, even though he only divorced Brigitte in 2006, allowing Macron to marry her a year later.

“A family separation can be a sadness and an opportunity,” Ms. Auzière said. ‘Recomposition can prove to be an enrichment. I have a beloved father and stepfather.”

Tiphaine said she always spoke of Mr. Auzière in the present tense, even though he died in 2019 at the age of 68.

Paris Match describes how ‘Tiphaine Auzière was a child when the scandal broke.’

The magazine describes how ‘the young Emmanuel often rang the doorbell at the Auzière house and the rumors continued to grow.

‘Rumors that obviously had an impact on the three children of the household.’

Ms. Auzière’s sister, Laurence, was 17 years old at the time and a classmate of Emmanuel Macron, who is the same age.

Ms Auzière said the rumors of a “forbidden relationship” were devastating for all the children, including her brother Sébastien, then 19.

All were students at La Providence, the Roman Catholic secondary school in Amiens, where Brigitte was a drama teacher.

Ms Auzière, whose new legal novel is called Assizes – referring to a criminal court – said she was also hurt by claims on social media that Brigitte was born male.

“I worry about the level of society when I hear what is circulating on social networks about the fact that my mother is a man,” she said.

“The confidence with which it is said and the credibility given to it is proclaimed. How can we resist disinformation on social networks?’

Brigitte Macron won a defamation case against a freelance journalist who spread rumors about her gender last year.

Mrs. Auzière, a qualified lawyer, now lives in Calais with her husband and two children.

Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron’s paths first crossed at an exclusive high school in northern France.

The now French president was only 15 years old when he met Madame Auziere, a teacher 24 years his senior, at Lycee La Providence in Amiens.

The teacher and her student had been working on the play The Art Of Comedy by the Italian writer Eduardo De Filippo every Friday evening at school for months, adapting it for all students who wanted to participate.

As the audience clapped before the curtain came down, the teen bowed and kissed his teacher on each cheek as she smiled in obvious delight.

And there was a glimpse of what was the beginning of a love affair between Macron and Brigitte.

Macron, the son of two respected local doctors, was adored by staff for his hard work and intelligence.

39-year-old Brigitte was married to banker André-Louis Auzière at the time, with whom she shares three children.

The duo would work on the play late into the night. Neither had to travel far home: the teacher to a house she shared nearby with her banker, husband and children, while the student walked the short distance to his parents’ house in an affluent part of Amiens.

It was only when the play was finally performed, in front of proud parents and family, that there was a glimpse of what was the beginning of a love affair between Macron and Brigitte.

“Every Friday I would spend hours writing a play with her,” the president of France later revealed. ‘We talked about everything. And I discovered that we had known each other all along.’

As for Brigitte, whose eldest daughter Laurence was in the same class as Macron, she was fascinated by his “exceptional intelligence.” She thought he was so gifted that it was as if ‘I was working with Mozart’.

The first sign other students got that the relationship was more than academic came during the play’s closing party at a local restaurant, with a contemporary watching as the pair shared what he described, cryptically, as a “tender moment.”

Their romance blossomed and caused a scandal in the province. Macron’s parents then sent him to Paris to attend another school, but his desire to be with his teacher and pursue her persisted.

In an interview with Paris Match magazine, the 70-year-old said she told herself that once Macron was in Paris, he would “fall in love with someone he belonged to.” [own] age’, but that didn’t happen.

The First Lady further explained that she had postponed marriage to her husband for ten years for the sake of her three children, who are about the same age as her younger partner.

Brigitte’s son is three years older than Macron and her daughters, now aged 46 and 39, are the same age as her second husband.

Brigitte eventually married Macron – then a civil servant in his late 20s – in Le Touquet on October 20, 2007, after divorcing her estranged husband André-Louis Auzière the year before.

The Kremlin warned today that conflict between Russia and NATO would be inevitable if European members sent troops to fight in Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron warned yesterday that European countries have not ruled out putting boots on the ground.

He said nothing should be ruled out as the West looks for a strategy to counter Russia, which controls just under a fifth of the territory recognized as Ukraine.

“We will do everything we have to do so that Russia does not win,” Macron said.

“The fact that there is talk of the possibility of sending certain contingents from NATO countries to Ukraine is a very important new element,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said when asked about Macron’s comments.

Asked about the risks if NATO members sent their troops to fight in Ukraine, Peskov said: “In that case we should not talk about the probability, but about the inevitability (of a direct conflict).”

Peskov said the West must ask itself whether such a scenario is in the interests of their countries and peoples.

The war in Ukraine has created the worst crisis in Russia’s relations with the West since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, and President Vladimir Putin has previously warned of the dangers of a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia.

Even talk of a confrontation between Russia and NATO – a Cold War nightmare for leaders and populations alike – points to the dangers of escalation as the West grapples with a resurgent Russia, 32 years after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz today rejected the idea of ​​European countries and NATO sending troops to Ukraine, after Macron said the idea could not be ruled out.

“What has been agreed among ourselves and with each other from the beginning also applies to the future, namely that no soldiers will be sent onto Ukrainian territory by European states or NATO states,” Scholz said.

“Britain already has a small number of personnel in the country supporting Ukraine’s armed forces, including for medical training,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s spokesman said today.

“We have no plans for a large-scale deployment,” he said, adding: “The UK is also training large numbers of Ukrainian personnel here in Britain. Of course, we also support the Ukrainian troops by supplying equipment and supplies.”

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has been accused by critics of being too close to Moscow, said after the meeting that there were divisions on the issue among European leaders.

“There are countries that are willing to send their own soldiers to Ukraine, there are countries that say never – Slovakia is one of them – and there are countries that say this proposal should be considered,” he said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson of Sweden, which is about to join NATO, threw cold water on the idea, saying: “It’s not in the plans at all at the moment.”

Italy said international support for Ukraine does not include the presence of ground troops, and warned against giving the impression of being “at war with Russia.”

“Since the start of Russian aggression two years ago, all allies have been united in the support they can offer Kiev,” the government said in a statement.

“This support does not provide for the presence on Ukrainian territory of troops from European or NATO countries.”

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal confirmed Macron’s comments on Tuesday, saying: “You cannot rule out anything in a war.”

He added: “I remember two years ago many around this table said we would offer sleeping bags and helmets, and now they say we need to do more and faster to have missiles and tanks.”

Russia and the United States – the major power behind NATO – have the largest arsenal of nuclear weapons in the world. President Joe Biden has warned that a conflict between Russia and NATO could trigger World War III.

After the Russian invasion in 2022, Western leaders said they would help Ukraine defeat Russian forces on the battlefield and expel Russian forces. But that didn’t happen.

Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive failed to break deeply entrenched Russian lines and Russia has pushed deeper into Ukrainian territory just as American support for Ukraine is embroiled in domestic political debates in the US.

A White House official told Reuters that the United States had no plans to send troops to fight in Ukraine, nor were there any plans to send NATO troops to fight in Ukraine.

Putin describes the United States and its allies as a crumbling empire that wants to destroy Russia and steal its natural resources. The West sees Putin as a dictator and a murderer, and Putin’s Russia as an enemy.

The United States has denied Russian claims that it wants to destroy Russia, but Biden called Putin a “crazy SOB” earlier this month and American sources have said Russia plans to place a nuclear weapon in space.

By Jessica Taylor for Mailonline

Published: 5:23 PM EST, January 30, 2024 | Updated: 5:23 PM EST, January 30, 2024

For dessert there was Gajar Nazakat (carrot pudding in dark chocolate cups, with milk fudge), Phirni Mille Feuille (Indian flavors in a French classic), sliced ​​fresh fruit and Kashwa/coffee.

New Delhi: President Murmu recently hosted a banquet dinner for his French counterpart, President Emmanuel Macron, and treated him to a delicious array of Indian delicacies. The menu showcased the rich diversity of Indian cuisine, from Sarson Ka Saag to Kesar Badam Shorba to Pudina Raita to Gajar Nazakat. The dinner was a celebration of cultural exchange and friendship between India and France. The banquet was organized in honor of the French president, who was the chief guest at this year's Republic Day parade in the national capital on Friday.

The banquet dinner started with a warm welcome from President Murmu, who expressed his gratitude for President Macron's visit to India. A delectable variety of traditional Indian dishes – from Kesar Badam Shorba to Sarson Ka Saag, Makke Ki Roti, Jeera Aloo and Pudina Raita, among others – were served to the French President.

The other delectable dishes on the menu included Chhena Paturi (fresh curd seasoned with mustard and steamed banana leaves), Achari Aloo aur Khumb (pickled potatoes and mushrooms, coriander sauce), Anjeer Kofta (fig roundels and vegetables in a rich cashew sauce) , Bagan-e-Subz (seasonal vegetables in butter), Dal Dera (black lentils cooked overnight on charcoal), Subz Pulao (aromatic rice with seasonal vegetables).

For dessert there was Gajar Nazakat (carrot pudding in dark chocolate cups, with milk fudge), Phirni Mille Feuille (Indian flavors in a French classic), sliced ​​fresh fruit and Kashwa/coffee.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud were among the dignitaries present at the banquet dinner.

In her address, President Murmu highlighted the strong partnership between India and France and highlighted their shared journey towards a better future. She emphasized that both countries are committed to building a future that is meaningful for their people, especially the youth. The President said India and France are working together in various sectors ranging from crafts to space exploration to shape this future.

One of the most important aspects of this shared journey is the focus on creating opportunities and ensuring equal access to education. President Murmu emphasized the importance of quality education, research and innovation to empower the youth and prepare them for the challenges of tomorrow. She also emphasized the need for a clean environment and emphasized both countries' commitment to sustainable development.

“We have also influenced each other in the field of food and drinks with our specialties. Just as there are impressive scholars of ancient Indian languages ​​and Vedic studies in France, the French language is a popular choice for students in India. When we look at cinema, we are reconnected, whether it is the influence of the French New Wave on our most prominent directors or the increasing presence of Indian films and movie stars on the Cannes red carpet,” added President Murmu added.

India celebrated the 75th Republic Day on Friday as President Droupadi Murmu and her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron arrived at Kartavya Path in a traditional horse-drawn presidential buggy.

Republic Day: Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted India on the 75th Republic Day on Friday and praised the “privileged strategic partnership” that New Delhi shares with Moscow. Putin also praised India's “active role” in resolving key international issues as he congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Republic Day.

“We appreciate the privileged strategic partnership between our countries. I am confident that, through joint efforts, we will continue to systematically promote constructive cooperation between Russia and India across the board,” the Russian President said.

“This fully meets the interests of our friendly peoples, as it is in line with strengthening security and stability, both regionally and globally,” Putin said in a cable message.

Putin noted that New Delhi enjoys “deserved influence in the international arena,” India said
India has achieved impressive achievements in socio-economic areas, as well as in research and technology.

“The South Asian country enjoys a well-deserved influence in the international arena and plays an active role in resolving the most important issues on the international agenda,” Russian state news agency TASS quoted the president as saying.

75th Republic Day

India celebrated the 75th Republic Day on Friday as President Droupadi Murmu and her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron arrived at Kartavya Path in a traditional horse-drawn presidential buggy, making a comeback after 40 years.

Macron, who was the chief guest at the grand Republic Day event in Delhi, witnessed the festivities at the majestic Kartavya Path in the national capital. The French president joined a select group of world leaders who attended the largest annual ceremonial event of the past seven decades.

Macron witnessed the grand military parade and cultural performances along with President Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, members of the Union Cabinet, foreign diplomats and a host of other dignitaries.

It was the sixth time that a French leader was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade.

“A great honor for France. Thank you, India,” President Macron posted “X” in a caption to a video of the French band and military contingents marching down in front of some 70,000 spectators.

Macron also greeted Prime Minister Modi and the people of India on the occasion of Republic Day.

“My dear friend @NarendraModi, Indian people, my warmest wishes on your Republic Day. Happy and proud to be with you. Let's celebrate!” he said.

In another post on 'X', Macron said it was both an honor and a sign of friendship to be invited to India on this occasion.

“I come to celebrate and consolidate our exceptional partnership. First step: bringing our youth together. We have so much to do together!” he said in French.

Macron held extensive talks with Prime Minister Modi in Jaipur on Thursday.

A 95-member marching contingent and a 30-member band contingent from France also took part in the parade.

Two Rafale fighters and an Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft from the French Air Force will also join the festivities.

Every year, India invites world leaders to attend its Republic Day celebrations. Last year, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi attended this occasion.

There was no chief guest on Republic Day in 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

(With PTI inputs)

Republic Day 2024: For the first time, an all-women contingent from three services participated in the country's largest ceremonial event.

New Delhi: India celebrated its 75th Republic Day on Friday at the majestic Kartavya Trail, with the three wings of the armed forces displaying the country's rising military might and an impressive display of assets, as their Republic Day scenes highlighted the overarching theme 'Nari Shakti' and 'Atmanirbharta'.

Indian Navy during the Republic Day parade

During the parade, the Indian Navy tableau showcased the imposing indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and the highly capable escort ships INS Delhi, INS Kolkata and INS Shivalik, the LCA, the ALH and the Kalvari class submarine. The theme of the naval tableau was 'Nari Shakti' and 'Atmanirbharta'.

The naval band played 'Hum Taiyyar Hain', which represented the might and combat readiness of the force, and to the tune marched a naval contingent of 144 young sailors, both male and female Agniveers.

Air Force contingent with 144 pilots led parade

The Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent consisted of 144 pilots and four officers and was led by Squadron Leader Rashmi Thakur. Squadron leaders Sumita Yadav and Pratiti Ahluwalia and Flight Lieutenant Kirti Rohil marched as supernumerary officers behind the contingent commander.

The Air Force band, consisting of three drum majors and 72 musicians, played “Sound Barrier Quick March.” The IAF tableau depicted the overall theme of 'Bharatiya Vayu Dena: Saksham, Sashakt, Atmanirbhar' or 'Indian Air Force: Powerful, Powerful and Self-Reliant'.

Emmanuel Macron chief guest at the parade

French President Emmanuel Macron is the chief guest at the grand celebrations, which have the overarching theme of projecting the country's female power and democratic values.

The armed forces displayed a range of homegrown weapons and military equipment such as missiles, drone jammers, surveillance systems, vehicle-mounted mortars and BMP-II infantry fighting vehicles during the parade.

Empowerment of women during the Republic Day Parade

For the first time, an all-female contingent from three services took part in the country's largest ceremonial event. In another historic first, Lieutenants Deepti Rana and Priyanka Sevda, who are among the ten women officers commissioned for the first time in the Artillery Regiment last year, led the 'Swathi' weapon localization radar and Pinaka missile system during the parade on Kartavya Path . This year, the 75th Republic Day will focus on the themes 'Nari Shakti' and 'Viksit Bharat'.

The contingent consists of female soldiers from the Military Police Corps of the Army, Navy and Air Force. Women Military Police have been deployed in various units and establishments in Counter Insurgency areas, Siachen Glacier, Ares high altitude and desert area. They have performed exceptionally in several joint exercises and UN missions.

The all-women contingent of Tri services was led by Captain Sandhya of Military Police with 3 supernumerary officers, Captain Shranya Rao, Sub Lieutenant Anshu Yadav and FLT Lieutenant Shrishti Rao.

Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu started the 75th Republic Day celebrations on Friday by unfurling the national flag at the Kartavya trail. President Murmu was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon her arrival at Kartavya Path.

President Murmu and her French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, who is the chief guest at this year's Republic Day celebrations, were accompanied by the President's bodyguard, 'Rashtrapati Ke Anrakshak'.

Amid tight security, Republic Day will be celebrated at the Kartavya Trail in the national capital with a captivating showcase of its military prowess and rich cultural heritage.

New Delhi: As India celebrates its 75th Republic Day on January 26 at Kartavya Path this year, take a look at how various world leaders have graced the occasion over the years. Some of the important world leaders include US President Barack Obama, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, due to the Covid pandemic, no chief guests were invited between 2021 and 2022. It is to be noted that this year, French President Emmanuel Macron will grace the occasion as the chief guest at the Republic Day parade.

This marks a unique two-way exchange following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France on his National Day in July 2023. This momentous visit by President Macron marks the culmination of the celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership.

This visit by President Macron marks the sixth time that a French leader has been invited as the chief guest on India's Republic Day. This tradition started with President Jacques Chirac in 1976, followed by Valery Giscard d'Estaing in 1980, Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008 and François Hollande in 2016.

Here is a list of the most important guests over the years:

• 2023: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
• 2020: Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro
• 2019: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
• 2018: Heads of states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). These include: Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei; Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia; Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia; Thongloun Sisoulith, Prime Minister of Laos; Najib Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia; Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counselor of Myanmar; Rodrigo Duterte, President of the Philippines; Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore; Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand; Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of Vietnam.
• 2017: Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
• 2016: French President François Hollande
• 2015: US President Barack Obama
• 2014: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
• 2013: Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
• 2012: Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra
• 2007: Russian President Vladimir Putin
• 2002: Mauritius President Cassam Uteem
• 1995: South African President Nelson Mandela
• 1971: Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere
• 1967: Afghan King Mohammed Zahir Shah
• 1961: British Queen Elizabeth
• 1960: Soviet President Kliment Voroshilo
• 1957: Soviet Union Defense Minister Georgy Zhukov

Amid tight security, Republic Day will be celebrated at the Kartavya Trail in the national capital with a captivating showcase of its military prowess and rich cultural heritage.

President Droupadi Murmu will lead the country in the grand celebrations on his journey of Amrit Kaal which started after the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebrations to commemorate 75 years of the country's independence.

Prime Minister Modi explained the UPI payment system to French President Emmanuel Macron when the two leaders visited a local shop during their visit to the iconic Hawa Mahal in Jaipur in Rajasthan.

Republic Day 2024: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was introduced to the digital payment system Unified Payments Interface (UPI) during a visit to French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday. Macron, who is on a two-day state visit to India and will be the chief guest at tomorrow's 75th Republic Day celebrations,

Prime Minister Modi explained the UPI payment system to the French President when the two leaders visited a local shop during their visit to the iconic Hawa Mahal in Jaipur in Rajasthan.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi explains the digital payment system UPI to French President Emmanuel Macron during their visit to Jaipur, Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/98SbDN8D3e

— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2024

Notably, UPI is a system that merges multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application (from any participating bank), merging various banking functions, seamless fund routing and merchant payments into one hood. It allows users to transfer money via their mobile device 24 hours a day.

Modi gifts a replica of Ram Mandir to Macron

The Prime Minister also presented a replica of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir to Emmanuel Macron. Earlier, Modi and Macron held a mega roadshow in the capital of Rajasthan, where a large number of people welcomed the two leaders along the way.

#WATCH | Rajasthan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifts a replica of Ram Mandir to French President Emmanuel Macron in Jaipur. pic.twitter.com/l9K91lOOt8

— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2024

Macron waved to the people gathered there and acknowledged the warm welcome. The French leader is on a two-day state visit to India and will be the chief guest at the 75th Republic Day parade on January 26.

#WATCH | People in large numbers welcome Prime Minister Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron during their roadshow in Jaipur, Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/JyhT8GgMhl

— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2024

Prime Minister Modi and French President Macron met at the Jantar Mantar Observatory and hugged each other and later rode in an open vehicle towards the famous Hawa Mahal amid heavy security cover and a shower of flowers.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron will hold a roadshow in Jaipur in Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/jEC3PSt8KW

— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2024

Prime Minister Modi was photographed extending a warm welcome to Macron at Jantar Mantar, where the two leaders warmly greeted each other and posed for the cameras. Later, they toured the Jantar Mantar, a famous solar observatory founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in July 2010.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Modi and French President Macron visit Jantar Mantar, the famous solar observatory founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, in Jaipur in Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/n7ZWxCuYtO

— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2024

Earlier today, Macron spoke, accompanied by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari. visited the iconic Amber Fort and interacted with artists and students at the royal fort. He also posed for pictures with Kumari and Jaishankar.

Macron's visit to India

French President Emmanuel Macron, the chief guest on this year's Republic Day, arrived in Jaipur in Rajasthan on Thursday afternoon and was received at the airport by EAM S Jaishankar, Governor of Rajasthan Kalraj Mishra and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.

Ties between India and France

Macron, whose visit marks the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, is accompanied by a ministerial delegation comprising Stephane Sejourne (Europe and Foreign Affairs), Sebastien Lecornu (Armed Forces) and Rachida Dati (culture); a C-level business delegation from French majors, SMEs and mid-caps; and other prominent personalities, including ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet.

“He will attend the At Home Reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan and later the State Banquet at the invitation of the Honorable President of India, HE Smt Droupadi Murmu,” an official statement said.

The French President's state visit marks France's sixth participation, the highest among all other countries, as chief guest on India's Republic Day. The visit is expected to consolidate the ambitious renewal of the France-India strategic partnership decided by Modi and Macron in Paris on July 14 through the 'Horizon 2047 Roadmap'.

Notably, Prime Minister Modi had attended the Bastille Day in France last year.

(With input from agencies)