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Violent demonstrations against pension reform in France led to the postponement Friday of King Charles III’s trip to the country, highlighting the growing security and political problems faced by President Emmanuel Macron.
The choice of France for Charles’ first foreign visit as sovereign had been intended to highlight warming Franco-British relations, but it has become a high-profile victim of the protests engulfing the country.
Macron asked the British government for the postponement, a UK government spokesperson said in a statement.
The decision was made “in order to be able to welcome His Majesty King Charles III in conditions which reflect our friendly relations”, a statement from the French presidency said.
More than 450 people were arrested on Thursday and 441 members of the security forces were injured during the most violent day of protests since the start of the year against Macron’s bid to raise the retirement age to 64, according to interior ministry figures.
More than 900 fires were also lit around Paris, with radical anarchist groups blamed for setting uncollected rubbish ablaze and smashing shop windows, leading to frequent clashes with riot police.
