As per the latest information from the regional daily Sud-Ouest, the state visit is set to occur from September 20 to 22. During this time, King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla are expected to visit both Paris and Bordeaux in the southwest, following the original itinerary. In preparation for the visit, King Charles’s security team had visited Bordeaux in July.
It’s worth noting that September is a bustling period for France due to Pope Francis‘s scheduled visit and the concurrent Rugby World Cup, which France is hosting. There’s speculation that Prince William might accompany his father on this trip and even have the chance to watch the Wales rugby match against Fiji in Bordeaux.
When contacted, President Emmanuel Macron‘s office, approached by AFP, declined to comment on the report. The decision to cancel the initial visit was made against the backdrop of fiery protests against a legislation aiming to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. Macron utilized a controversial executive power to push the plan through parliament in March, sparking outrage that fueled violent protests and lengthy strikes, causing disruptions across French public life.
The cancellation of King Charles III’s first official overseas trip as monarch was decided in light of President Macron’s desire to extend a warm and respectful welcome to His Majesty, in line with the amicable relations between the two nations, as stated by the Elysee palace.