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King Charles forced to postpone his state visit to France as anti-Macron activists target royal trip amid pension fury
THE King and Queen Consort have postponed their state visit to France following violent protests in the country.
The couple were due to travel on Sunday but the trip will be rescheduled as soon as possible, the French president's office said.
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The decision was made after a phone call between Emmanuel Macron and King Charles.
A spokesperson for the Elysee Palace said: "Given the announcement yesterday of another day of national protest against the pension reform on Tuesday, King Charles' visit, initially scheduled for March 26 to 29, will be postponed."
Anti-Macron demonstrations had loomed over the upcoming visit, the first to France of his reign, amid tensions over pension reform.
Last week, the French leader raised the retirement age from 62 to 64 without a parliamentary vote, which sparked outrage across the country.
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More than a million activists have taken to the streets from Paris to Marseille to campaign against the change.
While many demos were peaceful, violence erupted when officers clashed with masked groups, some of whom lit a fire at the historic City Hall in the South West city of Bordeaux.
There were at least 903 acts of arson in the capital alone, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said.
Looters have targeted shops, ransacked branches of McDonald's, smashed up bus shelters, demolished public seating and torched mounds of rubbish.
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Riot police used tear gas, batons, stun grenades and water canons to try to disperse the crowds chanting "revolution".
Some 149 cops were seriously injured and 172 people were arrested across the country.
Protesters planned to target a lavish state banquet at Versailles and a trip to Bordeaux from Sunday to Wednesday.
Drivers of a tram the royals were set to use were going to strike.
Thousands of workers, including bin collectors, are already staging walkouts, leaving tonnes of waste piling up on pavements.
Trade Unions have warned that the social unrest will worsen unless Mr Macron reverses his "incomprehensible" pension reforms.
The caution pushed Ryanair and easyJet to warn holidaymakers travelling to France to expect disruption to flights.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: "The King and The Queen Consort’s State Visit to France has been postponed.
"Their Majesties greatly look forward to the opportunity to visit France as soon as dates can be found."
'VERY DANGEROUS'
Security sources say the French feared Charles' safety could not be guaranteed "because of his interest in mingling with crowds".
A crack team of officers from the SDLP Protection Service unit rigorously studied the monarch’s profile before his intended State Visit this weekend.
"They became aware of the King’s habit of impromptu handshakes, and talking to ordinary people whenever he could," an insider involved in the planning said.
"There are huge social tensions in France, and there is no doubt that such good manners could have been very dangerous indeed."
Mr Macron himself later added: "I don’t think it would have been sensible for us – it would have lacked common sense – if we’d suggested that they pay a state visit in the middle of the demonstrations.
"So because we have a lot of friendship, respect and esteem for His Majesty the King, the Queen Consort and the British people, I took the initiative this morning of calling him and telling him what the situation was.
"Given that that day had been decided on, common sense and friendship led us to suggest a postponement.
"Conversely, what would have been abhorrent both for the British people and ourselves would have been to try and carry on as if nothing were happening, with incidents into the bargain.
"We’ve suggested that when things calm down again, at the beginning of the summer, depending on our respective timetables, together we can book another State visit, not only in keeping with the proper way to welcome the new King and the Queen Consort but also in circumstances that will enable him to get the best out of France, both Paris and Bordeaux."
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He also confirmed he would attend the King's coronation ceremony in May.
Charles and Camilla's state visit to Germany, scheduled for March 29 to April 2, will go ahead as planned, it is understood.
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Emmanuel Macron's pension reforms
EMMANUEL Macron pushed his controversial pension reform through parliament without a vote.
The French leader used an emergency presidential decree that enabled the government to pass legislation without a vote to hike the retirement age from 62 to 64.
Macron used the special constitutional power as he faced losing a ballot to get the reform through.
The pension reforms have sparked weeks of strikes and protests in the country.
As well as raising the retirement age by two years, it also requires an extra year of contributions to the national pension scheme.
Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne defended the move stating that the reforms are an essential method of sustaining pension system.
"We cannot gamble on the future our pensions, this reform is necessary."
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