King Charles postpones trip to France amid turmoil

of state visit The trip to France by King Charles III of England scheduled for next week has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. strike and protest He opposed President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reforms, giving a blow to the French president.

“This decision was made by the French and British governments, following the telephone exchange this morning between the President of the Republic and the King, in order to be able to receive King Charles III on terms corresponding to the friendly relations between the two countries. has been done,” the French president’s office said in a statement. “This state visit will be rescheduled as soon as possible.”

Visit of King Charles and Queen Camilla, who were due to arrive in Paris last Sunday heading to germany On Wednesday, the timing could not have been worse for Macron.

Faced with widespread outrage, protests and strikes over his decision to raise the legal retirement age from 62 to 64, prospects for the visit were particularly bleak.

Mr Macron, who was supposed to have dinner with the king at Versailles, just outside the French monarch’s former capital, has long been described by critics as the ruler of the monarchy himself. I came.

His political opponents are already outraged by his decision to push retirement changes through parliament without a full vote, saying Mr Macron is too estranged from the public and would rather eat with a foreign monarch. I swooped in on the king’s visit as proof…rather than listen to their concerns.

His opponents welcomed the news of the postponement, some reacting with glee.

Influential leftist leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon sarcasm on twitter “The meeting of the kings at Versailles” was “disbanded by public outcry.”

Prince Charles’ choice of France as his first destination has highlighted Britain’s desire to mend ties with its European neighbors after years of divided ties.

“Their Majesties are very much looking forward to the opportunity to visit France when dates are set,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

The visit was scheduled just weeks after British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met with Mr Macron in Paris. A tête-à-tête that sounded like a reconciliation.

This is a developing story. Please check the latest information.

constant meheux Contributing to the report from Paris, Megan Spacia from London.