Paris, Mar 24 (EFE).- The visit of King Charles III of the United Kingdom to France, which was to begin next Sunday, has been postponed due to protests against the pension reform of French President Emmanuel Macron, who have led to riots.
The decision to postpone was made by the governments of the two countries after a telephone communication this morning between Macron and the king, as explained by the Elysee in a statement.
The French Presidency has assured that the postponement is about “being able to welcome His Majesty King Carlos III in conditions that correspond to our friendly relationship.”
Regarding the dates on which this visit will finally be made, the indication is vague: “it will be scheduled as soon as possible”.
Carlos III hopes to visit France “as soon as possible”
For its part, Buckingham Palace has issued another statement in which it ensures that Carlos III and the queen consort, Camila, are looking forward to the opportunity to visit France “as soon as the dates are found.”
The residence of the British royal family confirms the postponement of this visit, the first state visit that Charles was going to make as monarch of the United Kingdom.
The announcement of the postponement of this visit comes only a few hours after the French Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, had assured that the security device was prepared “to receive it in excellent conditions.”
Darmanin, who had insisted that there were no “characterized terrorist threats”, did admit that some could take advantage of the king’s presence as a media speaker for their protests or political demands.
In the king’s program, which began on Sunday with his arrival in Paris, there was a ceremony on Monday at the Arc de Triomphe with Macron to lay a wreath on the monument to the unknown soldier, before the two heads of state descended the avenue des Champs-Élysées in what initially should have been a crowded bath.
Another sensitive moment in terms of security was the monarch’s trip by high-speed train (TGV) on Tuesday to Bordeaux, where he was also scheduled to take the tram to go to the Place de la Bourse.
