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Because the Duchess of Gloucester has a much nicer jewel collection than the Princess Royal or the Duchess of Edinburgh?
Just for that, I am glad about the Gloucesters being the "usual" royals on this type of occasions. As explained earlier by other posters in this thread, the Duchess of Gloucester has always managed to make an interesting and varying use of her large jewel collection, with great dignity and elegance, and she is widely appreciated for that. Her appointment as Lady of the Garter (very unusual for a consort of a member of the Royal family, and very unusual for a couple [except the Royal couple]) is a clear mark of the high esteem in which she is held.

Prince and Princess Michael of Kent used to attend these events too in the past decades, but they seem to have now a lower public profile. I don't know if they might have health issues (both are now in their 80ies). Princess Marie-Christine is perfectly fluent in French, and could have been a good dinner companion for the Macrons.

Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh could be the obvious alternatives. Maybe Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie of York as well, though it seems less probable.