Buckingham Palace on alert as King Charles' safety could be compromised in upcoming France trip

King Charles' visit to Paris comes during very troubled times in French history. After President Macron forced his retirement pension reform on the National Assembly last week, strikes that had been going on for weeks continued even harder, and protests are taking place every night in Paris, with several hundreds of people arrested each time and fires breaking out all over the City.

A visit in troubled times

This visit will be King Charles' first visit overseas since the Queen passed away. The King will first visit Paris, and then Bordeaux in the south. French officials are worried that strikes will complicate the monarch's visit. Most of all, the King and the President are supposed to walk down the Champs-Elysées together, but officials fear some crowd movement and risks to the physical integrity of both men.

Although the Chief of Police has said the event will be 'ultra-secure', officials know that strikes and violent protests will not be a good look for the City during an official visit from the King of Great Britain. According to Gala, sources close to the President have said they hope the strikes don't go on 'for too long'. There have been six nights of rioting since Macron pushed his reform through, despite immense opposition.

The Palace is on alert

A Buckingham Palace source close to the British foreign ministry told Reuters:

We are keeping a close eye on the situation, and are taking advice from the FCDO and the French side. There may be an impact on logistics.

So far, the King and Queen Consort's plans have not been altered, but the Palace is keeping a close eye on French news, especially as national strikes are planned for Thursday 23 March. The King and Queen Consort are supposed to arrive on Sunday 27 March and leave on Wednesday 29 March.

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Ongoing protests in several French cities

French tram drivers have said they will not drive King Charles around Bordeaux during his official visit, as protests and strikes are still going strong in several French cities. In an interview with France Info, Olivier Besancenot, a far left French politician has said: 'we are going to welcome him with a good old general strike.' Authorities have reportedly advised the King to stay away from big crowds.

King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to arrive in Bordeaux on Tuesday and take a tram into the city, but this is likely to change. Pascal Mesgueni, the head of the Union for Christian Workers in France, has said it would be a 'huge risk' for the Royals to take the tram anyway, because there won't be any drivers to take them into Bordeaux. However, there also won't be any supervisors or managers to make sure everyone is safe. There will be protestors on the rails, as well as vehicles.

French protesters have warned they will target official events attended by King Charles and President Macron. According to the Daily Mail, they are furious the King and Queen Consort will the visit the country in a time of extreme tension caused by Macron raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 and extended the number of years people will have to pay into the system before getting a full pension, without a parliamentary vote.

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Lavish dinner moved to new location

Although King Charles and President Macron were supposed to have dinner together at the lavish Palace of Versailles, a highly symbolic place in French history, it seems the dinner has been moved to a new location over fears of violence. Keeping a close eye on the situation in France, French and British officials have reportedly chosen to move the dinner to the Elysée Palace, the official French President's residence.

Angry protestors have vowed they would attack the Palace of Versailles, should the President choose to receive the King in the historic home of French Kings and Queens. Trade unionists had previously said the Palace of Versailles would be their 'n°1 target' during the King's visit to France.

The banquet dinner, followed by a concert, is supposed to take place on Monday, 27 March. A source for the Mirror has said:

The dinner between Charles III and Emmanuel Macron, planned for Monday, may not be held at Versailles, as initially planned.

The Palace of Versailles used to be the home of Louis XVI and his wife Marie-Antoinette before they were guillotined at the height of the 1789 French Revolution. Built by Louis XIV, it is a symbol of fabulous wealth and powerful aristocracy.

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Sources used:

Gala: “Un mouvement de foule qui dégénère” : cette hypothèse qui pourrait entacher la visite de Charles III à Paris

Telegraph: French tram drivers will refuse to transport King Charles during state visit

DailyMail: French protesters vow to disrupt King Charles's state visit next week: Tram due to transport the monarch and Queen Consort is hit by strike and Versailles banquet also targeted

Reuters: Protests in France may impact King Charles’ visit - Buckingham Palace source