Starmer Receives France’s Top Award as Macron Praises His European Leadership

French President Emmanuel Macron has awarded outgoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer France’s highest national honour, recognising his contributions to European security, support for Ukraine and efforts to strengthen relations between Britain and France.

Macron’s office said Starmer was presented with the Legion d’Honneur during a ceremony in Paris on Monday, where the British leader was attending a summit of Ukraine’s allies focused on security guarantees for Kyiv.

Starmer, who became UK prime minister after Labour’s landslide election victory in July 2024, is the first serving British prime minister to receive the prestigious French award.

The honour comes as Starmer prepares to leave office within days after losing the confidence of members of his governing Labour Party following a series of domestic policy reversals that affected his popularity among voters and party supporters.

However, despite his political difficulties at home, Starmer has continued to receive recognition from international leaders, particularly over his position on Ukraine, European security and efforts to rebuild closer ties with Britain’s European partners.

During the presentation, Macron praised Starmer’s “personal leadership” and commitment to what he described as the security of Europe, support for Ukraine, the UK-France relationship and his personal qualities.

Starmer, 63, also attended France’s annual July 14 military parade in Paris as a guest of President Macron alongside other leaders and representatives of countries supporting Ukraine.

The award marks another significant moment in UK-France relations, which have experienced changes in recent years following Britain’s departure from the European Union after the 2016 Brexit referendum.

Starmer’s election in 2024 had been viewed by many European allies as a turning point in Britain’s approach to its relationship with the continent after years of tensions under successive Conservative governments.

He is expected to be succeeded as Labour leader and prime minister by Andy Burnham, a former cabinet minister and pro-European centrist politician.