King Charles III’s planned visit to France, which was set to begin on Sunday, has been postponed due to ongoing protests over pension reform, according to an announcement by the French presidency.
This decision came after a call between the King and President Emmanuel Macron on Friday morning, with the French presidency stating that the postponement was made in order to ensure that the visit could be reorganised under conditions that reflect the friendly relations between the two countries.
Charles was set to arrive in Paris on Sunday evening with Queen Consort Camilla, spend a day in Paris on Monday, and travel to Bordeaux in the southwest on Tuesday, which was also the day that trade unions announced another round of strikes.
The trip was due to be the King’s first foreign tour since ascending to the throne in September 2022.
The French presidency added that the state visit would be reorganized as soon as possible.
On Thursday, the nationwide protests against pension reform escalated with a total of 457 people arrested and 441 security forces injured.
The entrance to a public building was set on fire, leading to further unrest in the country.
