Buckingham Palace is keeping a close watch on the unstable political climate in France as King Charles prepares for his first state visit to the nation, which is currently experiencing widespread disruptions and strikes. King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to arrive in Paris on Sunday for a four-day visit before proceeding to Germany.
This trip marks King Charles' first foreign journey as monarch and represents an opportunity to strengthen British ties with the countries. The U.K. government considers this state visit to be of immense importance.
However, the visit to France occurs amid nationwide protests and strikes in response to French President Emmanuel Macron's controversial pension reform, which raised the retirement age from 62 to 64 without parliamentary approval.
As King Charles and Camilla are scheduled to meet with the French president and participate in a high-profile event at the Arc de Triomphe, Buckingham Palace is reportedly keeping a close eye on the tense situation. While there is no indication that any visits will be delayed at this time, insiders suggest that the situation is being carefully monitored in case adjustments need to be made.
It has been reported that some protesters, trade unionists, and politicians have threatened to disrupt the royal visit by organizing strikes and demonstrations. These protests are expected to target events such as a banquet at the Château de Versailles and a visit to Bordeaux, scheduled from Sunday (March 26) to Wednesday (March 29).
Following their time in France, the King and Queen will embark on a busy itinerary in Germany, visiting cities like Berlin and Hamburg. They will make history as King Charles becomes the first British monarch to address the French Senate and the German Bundestag, the Federal Parliament.
The royal couple will be welcomed ceremonially at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate and attend a state banquet at Schloss Bellevue. Their visit will also include meeting Ukrainian refugees, attending a performance by the Berlin-based opera company Komische Oper, and participating in a reception with members of the British community in Hamburg.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will pay their respects during a brief remembrance ceremony at the St. Nikolai Memorial, the ruins of a church destroyed by allied bombings during World War II.
Buckingham Palace emphasized the significance of the visit, stating, "The visit will celebrate Britain's relationship with France and Germany, marking our shared histories, culture, and values. It will also provide an opportunity to look forward and demonstrate the many ways the U.K. is working in partnership with France and Germany, whether that be to tackle climate change; respond to the conflict in Ukraine; seize trade and investment opportunities, or share the best of our arts and culture."
