King Charles and Queen Camilla will begin three-day state visit to France today with President Macron to host a state banquet after trip was postponed amid widespread rioting
- The King and Queen’s first trip to France was postponed in March due to riots
The King and Queen are set to arrive in France today six months after they were forced to postpone their trip because of violent protests in the country.
Charles, 76, and Camilla, 74, will divide their time between Paris and Bordeaux packing in 21 high-profile engagements in just three days.
As part of the Anglo-French charm offensive, President Macron a state banquet in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles while the King will become the first British royal to address the French senate, speaking in both English and French.
The King was forced to canceled his state visit to France after widespread rioting began across the country opposing Macron’s retirement age reforms.
It was set to be the King and Queen’s first state visit following the death of Queen Elizabeth but Germany – the second leg of the journey – became the historic first destination for the couple.
In the days leading up to the planned visit, protesters daubed ‘Death to the King’ in threatening red paint across buildings, warning the violence would worsen if the monarch arrived.
The King and Queen, aged 76 and 74, will arrive in Paris to begin their state visit in France after it was postponed in March due to violent protests
President Emmanuel Macron is expected to throw a lavish state banquet in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles to mark the King and Queen’s arrival
It was ruled it was too unsafe for the King and Queen to visit France as violence swept the country
In the days leading up to the planned visit, protesters daubed ‘Death to the King’ in threatening red paint across buildings, warning the violence would worsen if the monarch arrived
The British Government was asked by the French leader to postpone the trip at the time after French unions called for the nationwide pension protests to coincide with the King’s visit.
READ HERE: For Charles, Paris is a city of profoundly personal significance – and tragedy. It is where the Abdication Crisis reached its final, sad denouement. And it is from there he had to collect the body of Diana, mother of his two boys
As well as chaotic scenes in Paris, Bordeaux’s town hall was set alight by protesters just a few days before the monarch’s planned arrival.
Charles and Camilla are expected to arrive in Paris this afternoon with the events expected to be largely the same as they were in March.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement announcing the rescheduled trip: ‘The King and Queen will undertake a state visit to France, visiting Paris and Bordeaux, from Wednesday 20th to Friday 22nd September 2023.
‘The visit will celebrate the shared history, culture and values of the United Kingdom and France.’
Chris Fitzgerald, Deputy Private Secretary to Their Majesties, told the Mail last week that the trip would highlight issues of mutual interest including climate change and protecting biodiversity.
He added the they will discuss strengthening security and defence ties in response to the conflict in Ukraine and recognising outstanding cultural achievement.
After arriving in Paris, the King and Queen will join President and Madame Macron for a ceremony of Remembrance and wreath laying at the Arc de Triomphe, before processing down the Champs-Élysées towards the Elysée Palace.
Charles, 76, and Camilla, 74, will divide their time between Paris and Bordeaux packing in 21 high-profile engagements in just three days
President Macron previously met with the then-Prince of Wales in London in 2020
The King will then have a meeting with the President before attending the black tie event at the Palace of Versailles.
As Charles addresses Senators and members of the National Assembly, Camilla will join Mme Macron to launch a new Franco-British literary prize at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France.
The couples will then meet a number of community sports groups and sports stars as France hosts the Rugby World Cup and prepares to host the Olympics next year.
After travelling to Bordeaux, the King and Queen will meet emergency workers and communities affected by the Bordeaux wildfires in 2022, highlighting how to tackle climate change.
The King will also meet British and French military personnel as well as attend a GREAT campaign where British and French businesses will be showcased.
Finishing off their jam-packed visit, they will take a trip to an organic vineyard before flying back to Scotland where they have spent the summer.
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