LONDON: King Charles’s state visit to France has been deferred following a request by French President Emmanuel Macron, Downing Street said on Friday.
French President said that they would not be sensible and would lack common sense to go ahead as per plan following unions called a day of pension protest demonstration during the trip.
King Charles’s Visit to Paris
The visit to Paris and Bordeaux had been due to start on Sunday. But the two cities were caught up in protests and violence on Thursday, some of the worst since protests began in January.
According to Buckingham Palace the decision to delay the 3-day trip by Charles was due to the “current situation in France”. The statement said that their Majesties greatly look forward to the opportunity to visit Paris as soon as possible.
French President said that he felt it would be unsuitable for the King to travel his country.
He said, “As we have great friendship, respect and honor for His Majesty and the Queen Consort and the British citizens, I took the step this morning to call [the King] and explain the current situation… common sense and friendship led us to advise a postponement.”
The British government said that the decision had been “taken with the accord of all parties”. The protest demonstrations had made the visit impossible. Many French cities saw violence on the sidelines of Thursday’s demonstrations that attracted over a million people.
