State Visit Cancelled as Rioters Target Charles and Camilla in France
The official state visit of Charles and Camilla to France has been canceled after chilling anti-monarchy graffiti appeared during the country’s riots.
After guillotine and death threats were daubed in paint, President Emmanuel Macron decided it was not safe for the King and Queen Consort to visit his country.
The graffiti, which read “Death to the King” and “Charles III, do you know the guillotine?” appeared at Paris’ Place de la Concorde.
It was here that King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette were guillotined as part of the French Revolution. The area has seen some of the country’s most violent protests against raising the age at which French citizens can claim state pensions.
Despite the graffiti, no direct threats to the royal couple are believed to have been made.
Charles and Camilla were scheduled to leave tomorrow for a three-day trip to Paris and Bordeaux.
However, after a night of violence in both cities, an embarrassed Mr. Macron called His Majesty yesterday morning to cancel the visit.
Protests drew up to a million people on Thursday night, with some setting fire to overflowing garbage cans, fighting police, and torching a city hall that the royal couple was expected to visit.
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Charles, 74, and Camilla, 75, would have attended a state banquet at the Palace of Versailles during their first state visit. Officials, however, were unable to guarantee the couple’s safety.
Some speculated that holding a banquet while France was in the grip of riots was Mr. Macron’s “Marie Antoinette moment.”
It would have been abhorrent, according to the President, if the visit had been disrupted by violence.
“I don’t think it would have been sensible — it would have lacked common sense — for us to suggest that His Majesty the King and the Queen Consort pay a state visit in the middle of the demonstrations,” he said.
“The visit of Charles III is canceled by the Government due to social unrest,” said Eric Ciotti, leader of the Republican party.
“What a reflection on our country, which cannot even ensure the security of a head of state.”
The French have been protesting since January when President Macron increased the retirement age from 62 to 64 without parliamentary approval.
Striking trade unionists had refused to go to work and lay out red carpets for the royal couple’s state visit, as well as to drive them on a tram in Bordeaux.
In Paris alone, where refuse collectors have been on strike for more than a week, 1,000 bins have been set ablaze.
Following eight days of riots, 500 protesters were arrested on Thursday night during violent clashes in which hundreds of police were forced to use tear gas, baton charges, and water cannon.
Thugs also set fire to Bordeaux’s city hall.
French security officials are concerned that the King could have been attacked while out meeting people.
A French source involved in the security planning for the visit last night admitted that traveling during the protests would have been dangerous for Charles and Camilla.
Concerns were also expressed by officers from the French police’s Service de la Protection. “They became aware of the King’s habit of impromptu handshakes and talking to ordinary people whenever he could,” a source said.
“There are huge social tensions in France, and such good manners could have been extremely dangerous.”
According to a French government source, “highly politicized activists are out on the streets, and they would have undoubtedly targeted the English King.” King Charles made it clear that he did not want to hide away in palaces; he wanted a proper visit with as many people as possible or no tour.”
“The King and Queen Consort’s state visit to France has been postponed,” said Buckingham Palace.
“Their Majesties eagerly await the opportunity to visit as soon as dates are available.”
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