Palace is 'keeping close eye on French riots' ahead of King's State visit to ... trends now
Buckingham Palace is ‘monitoring’ the volatile political situation in France, which has seen widespread strikes and disruption, ahead of the King’s first state visit to the country later this week.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s government last night narrowly survived a no-confidence motion in parliament over an unpopular pension reform that has sparked violent protests.
Oil refinery workers and bin collectors have gone on strike with another nationwide day of action called for Thursday.
King Charles and the Queen Consort are expected to arrive in the French capital on Sunday for what is viewed by the UK Government as a hugely significant first state visit.
There is no suggestion that the visit will be cancelled but sources told the Mail that the palace was keeping a ‘close eye on the situation’ which may affect their logistics.
King Charles and the Queen Consort are expected to arrive in the French capital on Sunday
Oil refinery workers and bin collectors have gone on strike and riots have broken out over the past few days in protest to the new legislation
French President Emmanuel Macron’s government last night narrowly survived a no-confidence motion
A source said royal aides will take advice from the UK Foreign Office and French authorities.
While nothing has changed yet programme wise, they added, it is possible that there may be an ‘impact on logistics’.
The royal visit is designed to celebrate the UK’s relationship with France, and beleaguered President Macron is certainly rolling out the red carpet with a glittering state banquet at the Chateau de Versailles.
Several engagements during their four-day visit, after which they will travel on to Germany, will be in highly public venues.
These include a wreath laying with President Macron and his wife at the Arc de Triomphe in central Paris and a procession down the Champs-Elysees before a meeting between the King and the French leader at the Elysee Palace.
This could be a high-risk magnet for protesters determined to publicly humiliate President Macron.
Mr Macron’s wife Brigitte and the Queen Consort will also officially open a new exhibition at the Musee d’Orsay, which will be seen as less problematic.
The King will also become the first British monarch in history to address the French senate as part of a new post-Brexit charm offensive, while he and his wife will also visit Bordeaux before travelling onto Germany.
There has been some surprise that the couple’s first foreign tour since the accession is not to a
