(CNN) King Charles’ state visit to France has been postponed amid planned protests over the French government’s controversial pension reform.
Both France’s Élysée Palace and Buckingham Palace confirmed the trip had been postponed as of Friday morning.
The British monarch and Queen Consort were due to visit the country from Sunday to Wednesday and they would have traveled to Paris and the southwestern city of Bordeaux. However, the decision to postpone the visit came after Thursday’s demonstrations turned violent in some areas, including Bordeaux.
Clashes between groups of protesters angry at proposed pension reforms and police erupted after workers carried out a nationwide strike that flared up in Paris and region capitals throughout Thursday. In Bordeaux, according to CNN subsidiary BFMTV, demonstrators set fire to the entrance to the city hall during skirmishes with the police.
Riot police face protesters outside the Opera House during a demonstration as part of a nationwide strike against pension reforms in central Paris on Thursday.
The king’s state visit will be “rescheduled as soon as possible,” said the Élysée Palace.
“Following yesterday’s announcement of a new national day of action against pension reform on Tuesday, March 28 in France, King Charles III’s visit, originally planned for March 26-29, will be postponed. postponed in our country,” the statement said.
“This decision was taken by the French and British governments following a telephone conversation this morning between the President of the Republic and the King to express His Majesty King Charles III. to be able to receive under conditions that correspond to our friendly relationship.” It went on.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman confirmed the postponement to CNN, adding: “Their Majesties very much look forward to the opportunity to visit France once appointments can be found.”
A UK government spokesman also confirmed that the king would not be visiting France next week, adding that “this decision was taken with the consent of all parties, after the French President asked the UK government to postpone the visit”.
Charles and Camilla were due to travel from France to Germany on Wednesday for a state visit. The second part of the trip is expected to take place.
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