British State visit to France [postponed] & Germany, 26-31 March 2023

[wbenson]

King Charles’s lavish banquet at the Palace of Versailles during next week’s State Visit to Paris 'to be moved due to threats of violence' over Macron’s push to up retirement age

A lavish banquet planned for King Charles at the Palace of Versailles as the 'highlight' of his State Visit to France is set to be moved because of threats of violence, it has emerged tonight.

An aide to President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday told the BFM news channel, the most popular in France, that widespread rioting made the engagement too risky.

 

[An Ard Ri]

The threats of violence are not good and I'm not sure if it would be wise to go ahead with the State Visit at this delicate time in France.

 

[Alison H]

This really is an unholy mess. A lot of work's gone into improving Anglo-French relations in recent months, and this visit was meant to showcase that. Now it looks as if it could be a disaster. Macron's going to look like a complete idiot if he has to ask the King and Queen not to come, but nor is he going to look very good if the visit's disrupted by protests and riots.

 

[Nico]

From what i know, at this time, the visit is going as planned, Versailles dinner included.

 

[JR76]

Macron is going to look like an absolute clown if he has to cancel the visit. It'll be extremely embarrassing for him.

It would be even more embarrassing if the King and Queen Consort of the United Kingdom got stuck at the airport because their safety couldn't be guaranteed when traveling into Paris.

 

[An Ard Ri]

It would be even more embarrassing if the King and Queen Consort of the United Kingdom got stuck at the airport because their safety couldn't be guaranteed when traveling into Paris.

Yes safety must come first and I don't like the sounds of angry mobs outside Versailles either with Royal guests inside!

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

It would be even more embarrassing if the King and Queen Consort of the United Kingdom got stuck at the airport because their safety couldn't be guaranteed when traveling into Paris.

Paris is surrounded by civil airports: Charles de Gaulle, Orly, Le Bourget come to mind, not to mention the various military airbases in the metropole. No problem for the King to land. There are protests yes. But that is relatively "normal". Remember the gilets jaune. In the end life goes on.

Yes safety must come first and I don't like the sounds of angry mobs outside Versailles either with Royal guests inside!

The domain of Versailles is HUGE. Undoubtedly the King and Queen Camilla can nip their Armand de Brignac Rose champagne in all serenity.

 

[Nico]

It would be even more embarrassing if the King and Queen Consort of the United Kingdom got stuck at the airport because their safety couldn't be guaranteed when traveling into Paris.

Charles and Camilla have to travel by Eurostar ...

 

[Hans-Rickard]

By cancelling it altoghether, it would be a total pr-disaster for Macron

By continuing as if nothing has happened and some incident happens or they are accompanied by loud protests, insults and riots wherever they go, it would be a total pr-disaster for Macron

There is no good outcome of this regardless of what they do…. Perhaps it is time for the guests to put diplomacy aside and take their own decision…

Though as a swede, where the retirement age is 67, and debates are happening every year wether it should be 69 instead, i have little sympathy for the current french problem….
People in my age (37) will likely have to work for as long as we do not develop dementia…

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

By cancelling it altoghether, it would be a total pr-disaster for Macron

By continuing as if nothing has happened and some incident happens or they are accompanied by loud protests, insults and riots wherever they go, it would be a total pr-disaster for Macron

There is no good outcome of this regardless of what they do…. Perhaps it is time for the guests to put diplomacy aside and take their own decision…

Though as a swede, where the retirement age is 67, and debates are happening every year wether it should be 69 instead, i have little sympathy for the current french problem….
People in my age (37) will likely have to work for as long as we do not develop dementia…

It can never be more worse than in post #27 in which Charles and Camilla were physically besieged, insulted and attacked in the very own capital. No way that the gendarmerie and the armed forces will let this happen to guests of France.

 

[Prinsara]

Perhaps there is a solution in not giving in and canceling and not ignoring it. Just adjust. The banquet at Versailles with tiaras isn't necessary. Just do the lowest-key State visit you can.

Charles probably has more experience with social unrest than Macron and maybe even an idea or two about the garbage. I think there's more to be gained in pulling it off. Just mind the optics.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

Perhaps there is a solution in not giving in and canceling and not ignoring it. Just adjust. The banquet at Versailles with tiaras isn't necessary. Just do the lowest-key State visit you can.

Charles probably has more experience with social unrest than Macron and maybe even an idea or two about the garbage. I think there's more to be gained in pulling it off. Just mind the optics.

Why adjusting? Because a group of anarchists and anti-everythingers has to work until 64? I hope I will be able ro retire at 68 but there is a possibility it will even be 69 as the age of retirement is linked to the general life expectancy in my country (and indeed people live longer and longer while pensions were originally saved with a certain life expectancy from the age of 65 on in the calculations).

 

[Hans-Rickard]

It can never be more worse than in post #27 in which Charles and Camilla were physically besieged, insulted and attacked in the very own capital. No way that the gendarmerie and the armed forces will let this happen to guests of France.

But for the host it would be a humiliation extra large…

I want to see the State visit proceed as planned as much as everyone else - but sometimes the best way is not to just ignore things just because they can ignore things

 

[Alison H]

The retirement age in the UK is 66 and is about to go up to 67. It's 66 in the Republic of Ireland as well. Germany's increasing its retirement age, and so is Spain, and so are a lot of other countries. 62 is very low.

I don't know what the best way out of this mess with the State Visit is, but I still can't see either side wanting to cancel.

 

[Nico]

Because a group of anarchists and anti-everythingers has to work until 64?.

That's a mere understatement on what happened today : 1M people in the streets all around the country. And the point is not some personnal perceptions about ideal retiring age, or not, but very much about an upcoming State Visit taking place or ... not.

Judging by the events of today, it seems very unlikely that the original program (walkabouts in Paris, traveling by train to Bordeaux (where the city hall was set on fire this evening) etc) could even take place.

What's the worst ? Posponing a visit with some ruffled egos or waiting for a more serious incident (because let's face it, the threat is real) taking place if the visit goes on ?

 

[doro]

I hope Macron not to cancel/postpone the SV

 

[Toledo]

Why would it have anything to do with Brexit? Macron wants to raise the state retirement age from 62 to 64 because the population is ageing and it's becoming difficult to fund state pensions. The UK and a lot of other countries have increased the state retirement age for the same reason, but the change is very unpopular in France. He has enforced the change without a vote in parliament.

I still think that the state visit will go ahead more or less as planned. It would be extremely embarrassing for Macron to cancel the state banquet.

I didn't keep up with news on French protests since the taxi drivers riots. I just saw on CNN the protests on making the retirement age go up to 64. In my experience, my State government office allowed us to retire at age 60 with full benefits and pension under the condition you had to be employed within government for minimum 20 years. Anything lower would affect pension and medical insurance benefits. I retired after 30 years and nine months with full benefits and a pension that increases every year based on cost of living.

I understand and relate to their anger. You are made to work two more years for benefits other received before the law passed at age 62. As seniors, they deal with peer pressure of younger staff that think you are a waste of space that could be holding on their promotions to your job. Also, no promotions to help increase the monthly pension amount. In my agency the unwritten rule was that people over 50 or few years from retirement don't get promoted because the agency wants a long-term investment.

They have the right to protest in France about this outrage. Too bad it will continue during King Charles's visit.

 

[JR76]

The pension reform isn't only about raising the retirement age with two years. It comes only a few after the age was raised with another two years in 2010. Many public sector workers will lose privileges and there will be an accelerated increase in the number of years of work required to qualify for a full pension. All this to deal with a deficit in the pension system while capitalists and corporations are stuffing their pockets on a scale not seen in 150 years. The French are right to be mad. We should all be mad. This is playing out in all the countries we live in, but only in different ways.

Edit: I was going to write that it's a pity that we won't get to see Queen Camilla in a tiara at Versailles, but instead I got a bit passionate about workers rights.

 

[Alison H]

We're getting reports that Bordeaux town hall's been set on fire. I still think that the State Visit will go ahead, but I would think that the King and Queen are dreading it rather than looking forward to it.

 

[Nico]

We're getting reports that Bordeaux town hall's been set on fire. I still think that the State Visit will go ahead, but I would think that the King and Queen are dreading it rather than looking forward to it.

And a new national day of protests is announced for tuesday, when Charles and Camilla will be, presumably, in Bordeaux.

Meanwhile we know now that the Royals will not travel to France by Eurostar but by plane.

 

[assia]

And a new national day of protests is announced for tuesday, when Charles and Camilla will be, presumably, in Bordeaux.



Meanwhile we know now that the Royals will not travel to France by Eurostar but by plane.

BREAKING NEWS (source Élysée Palace) : The visit is postponed !

 

[Nico]

BREAKING NEWS (source Élysée Palace) : The visit is postponed !

It's indeed official : the visit is postponed.

Best decision for all parties concerned. We'll more than happy to welcome their Majesties with the full pump in better times.

 

[Alison H]

I'm surprised it's been cancelled, but it's probably for the best. How embarrassing for France. So the first state visit of the reign will be to Germany.

 

[ACO]

Not surprised at all. When I saw that the police and such were joining in on the protests --- there was no way this was going forward. Can't risk it.

 

[Elly C]

I’m not surprised at all. It is far the most sensible option to avoid even greater embarrassment. I think the British will be relieved.

 

[Nico]

How embarrassing for France. .

Not sure about that. It's more about being considerate of the Royal guests :in the current climate in France, they couldn't have a calm and secure stay and hosted properly will all the respect and the pump they deserve.

It's a good decision.

Official statement from the Elysée Palace :

https://www.elysee.fr/emmanuel-macr...visite-detat-de-sa-majeste-le-roi-charles-iii

Président Macron had a phone call with HM.

Given yesterday's announcement of a new national day of action against pension reform on Tuesday March 28 in France, the visit of King Charles III, initially scheduled for March 26 to 29 in our country, will be postponed.

This decision was taken by the French and British governments, after a telephone exchange between the President of the Republic and the King this morning, in order to be able to welcome His Majesty King Charles III under conditions which correspond to our relationship of friendship. This State visit will be rescheduled as soon as possible.

 

[Alison H]

Hopefully the visit to Germany will be enjoyable and stress free!

 

[Elly C]

British State visit to France & Germany, 26-31 March 2023

I think it is also embarrassing for France. Macron is keen to suggest he is in control of things and it’s business as usual - which clearly it’s not. Not sure what other big events are scheduled for the immediate future ( Cannes Film festival is usually May).

 

[An Ard Ri]

The violence has escalated and the Town Hall in Bordeaux was set alight last night.

Its for the best that the State visit has been postponed.

 

[Nico]

I think it is also embarrassing for France. Macron is keen to suggest he is in control of things and it’s business as usual - which clearly it’s not. Not sure what other big events are scheduled for the immediate future ( Cannes Film festival is usually May).

The Unions decided yesterday a new national day of protests the 28 th, including strikes. That's their privilege but it would have been really really challenging for the Royal Party to travel by train to Bordeaux, as planned. Some unionists made a point to disturb the visit to obtain a global echo : Charles and Camilla deserve better.

A State Visit is never "business as usual", especially security-wise. Considering the planned national protests on the 28th, the security of the Royals couldn't have been at 100%. It would have been WAY more embarassing to see the King and the Queen of GB somewhat stuck by the strikes like the average man in the street.

There's a national crisis in France, like many before and many after. The focus is on domestic security.