Emmanuel Macron mocks 'slap' by wife Brigitte as couple step off plane in Indonesia

Emmanuel Macron appears to clash with his wife in Vietnam

Emmanuel Macron appeared to make light of being "slapped" by his wife Brigitte during a playful display as the couple arrived in Indonesia. The French president stuck his hand out from behind the plane's door and gave a cheeky wave before walking out to greet the crowds, smiling. His wife then appeared, also smiling, and the pair locked arms as they descended the stairs to greet officials while Mr Macron gave a thumbs-up.

A source told France Info that this display was staged to make fun of the couple's apparent argument on Monday, in which Mrs Macron was seen pushing her husband in the face. They said: "Yes, they wanted to respond with self-deprecation. It was a gesture that will be seen as humorous by some... and provocative by others."

Mr Macron waved before appearing at the top of the plane's steps. (Image: Reuters)

Initially, the Élysée denied the footage but later confirmed it, describing it as "playful teasing." A source close to Mr Macron referred to it as a "harmless scuffle" and attributed the negative response to "pro-Russian circles".

An official from his team stated: "It was a moment when the president and his wife were relaxing one last time before the start of the trip by having a laugh. It was a moment of closeness."

Mr Macron was also keen to play down the awkward interaction, telling French media he was only “squabbling and, rather, joking with my wife".

He added that the incident was being overblown into "a sort of geo-planetary catastrophe" and that "everyone needs to calm down".

The video of the incident seems to show a stunned President Macron gesturing towards the aircraft door after being hit, seemingly indicating to his wife of nearly 20 years that cameras might be watching them.

A video recently went viral appearing to show Brigitte Macron pushing her husband. (Image: Getty)

The camera then moves away from the aircraft door to the cockpit of the plane, where the pilot is flying a French flag from the window.

Mr Macron, 47, touches his face before waving at the waiting media and officials. His 72-year-old wife, smartly dressed in a red blazer, takes her place behind him as they prepare to exit the plane.

The couple then began to descend the stairs side by side but not holding hands, with Mrs Macron preferring to use the handrail.

President Macron was just 15 when he met his future wife, who was more than 30 years his senior, a mother-of-three, and his teacher.