Angela Merkel was forced to clarify that she was the Chancellor of Germany after she was referred to as “Mrs Macron”. The German leader accompanied French President Emmanuel Macron during an Armistice ceremony in Rethondes, northeastern France, when the pair were mistaken for a couple. The awkward question was asked when the two EU leaders greeted visitors who had taken part in the remembrance ceremony for the 1918 centenary.
An elderly woman, who was said to be a day away from her 101st birthday, was overwhelmed with emotions as she spoke to Mr Macron.
As the French President shook her hand, the unnamed woman said: “Don’t make me cry.
“Mr Macron, it’s not possible, a little woman like me shaking hands with the President of the Republic, it’s fantastic.”
But, in a moment that quickly went viral, the woman turned towards the German Chancellor and asked: “Are you Madame Macron?”
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An amused Merkel responded with a smile and said “I am the German Chancellor” – once in German and then in French.
It is not clear whether the women understood what was said, but she responded: “That is fantastic!”
Following a group photograph, the woman told Mr Macron that she will “still be there next year” to which Mr Macron said “so will we, happy birthday, madame.”
Emmanuel Macron’s actual wife is 65-year-old Brigitte Macron, who met him when she was a teacher at the school where he was a student.
Earlier in the day, Mrs Merkel and Mr Macron had unveiled a plaque to Franco-German reconciliation and laid a wreath.