UK’s Boris Johnson puts foot up while discussing Brexit at Emmanuel Macron’s palace

During crunch talks over Brexit with French President Emmanuel Macron -- who Johnson insisted on repeatedly addressing as “Monsieur le President” -- the British premier joked and waved his hands flamboyantly.

An invitation to the gilded Elysee palace of France’s president in Paris usually prompts a sense of decorum and formality in a visitor of any rank.

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson speak during a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, August 22, 2019 (REUTERS)

But not Britain’s charismatic -- and sometimes controversial -- new Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

During crunch talks over Brexit with French President Emmanuel Macron -- who Johnson insisted on repeatedly addressing as “Monsieur le President” -- the British premier joked and waved his hands flamboyantly.

And for one brief moment -- immortalised by photographers -- he leant back in his chair, placed the sole of his right foot on a table as he sat down for talks with Macron.

The episode appeared part of a shared joke with Macron, who could be seen laughing heartily.

“Sorry!” Johnson could be heard saying, using a favourite word of any Briton, as he waved in the direction of the waiting media and began the talks.

In earlier statements outside the Elysee, Johnson had made a show of his trademark bravado as he played up links between Britain and France even as his country exists the EU.

“Not a lot of people know that!” he added.

(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)