King Charles III of England has been forced to cancel his state visit to France due to the social chaos that is taking place due to the protests against the pension reform. It was to be the British sovereign’s first trip abroad since he succeeded his mother, Elizabeth II.
The cancellation of the visit, which is postponed and will be rescheduled as soon as possible -although the date is unknown-, was announced that Friday by the Élysée after a telephone conversation between President Emmanuel Macron and Carlos III himself. The French head of state is in Brussels to attend the European Council.
The change of plans, forced by the situation of growing public disorder, is a blow to the image of France and of Macron himself. It demonstrates the severity of the crisis. Carlos III had decided that France was his first destination, a true symbol, before flying to Berlin. Obviously, the visit to Germany is maintained.
The monarch of the United Kingdom was due to arrive in Paris this Sunday. A ceremony was scheduled at the Arc de Triomphe, a visit to the Musée d’Orsay and a gala dinner on Monday at the Palace of Versailles. The timing was very inopportune and embarrassing. It posed a security risk for travel and a political inconvenience for Macron by hosting nothing less than the stage of the French absolute monarchy. Carlos III had to travel to Bordeaux, whose City Council was the victim yesterday of a fire caused at its large entrance door of the historic building.
