King Charles and Queen Camilla's State Visit to France Has Been Rescheduled
Update, 8/24/23: King Charles and Queen Camilla's State Visit to France has been rescheduled for September. Buckingham Palace said in a statement that the royals will travel to Paris and Bordeaux from September 20 through September 22, and "the visit will celebrate the shared history, culture and values of the United Kingdom and France."
Original, 3/24/23: King Charles and Queen Camilla's first State Visit was supposed to begin in France this Sunday. Amid the strikes and protests that have engulfed France in reaction to President Emmanuel Macron's pension overhaul and decision to raise the legal retirement age, however, the royals have decided to postpone their trip.
In a statement, Buckingham Palace said, "Their Majesties greatly look forward to the opportunity to visit France as soon as dates can be found."
"This decision was taken by the French and British governments, after a telephone exchange between the President of the Republic and the King this morning, in order to be able to welcome His Majesty King Charles III in conditions that correspond to our friendly relationship," the French presidency said in its statement. "This state visit will be rescheduled as soon as possible."
French labor unions have called for a day of protests and strikes for Tuesday, when Charles and Camilla had been due to take the train to Bordeaux. President Macron said at a news conference that "common sense and friendship" led to the delay of the visit, and that "we would not be serious … to make a state visit in the middle of protests."
The King and Queen Consort's trip to Germany will still go on as planned, from March 29 to March 31. "As well as speaking to the strength of the U.K.’s bilateral relationships with France and Germany, their Majesties’ visits will include engagements highlighting the importance of sustainability and community – key themes which have been embraced by citizens of all our countries," Buckingham Palace said in the initial announcement of the trip. "There will also be opportunities to reflect on the sacrifices and challenges of our shared past, out of which has come an enduring legacy of cooperation and reconciliation."
It will be Charles's 29th official visit to Germany and Camilla's fourth.
You Might Also Like
