According to a French publication, King Charles III will pay a state visit to France in September, six months after a planned trip was canceled due to violent demonstrations.
The planned trip, intended to promote strengthening Franco-British relations, was canceled at the last minute in March due to furious mass protests against pension reform in France.
The regional daily Sud-Ouest reported over the weekend that the state visit would now take place in September, and that the monarch and Queen Consort Camilla would still visit Paris and Bordeaux in the southwest as planned.
The approximate dates are September 20 to 22, according to the article, which also stated that King Charles’ security team had arrived in Bordeaux in July to prepare for the visit.
Sud Ouest points out that late September is already a particularly busy time for France due to Pope Francis’ expected visit and France’s hosting of the Rugby World Cup.
According to the report, Prince William could accompany his father and witness Wales’ rugby match against Fiji in Bordeaux.
President Emmanuel Macron’s office, contacted by AFP, declined to comment on the report.
The uproar over legislation to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 was heightened in March when Macron used a contentious executive prerogative to force the measure through parliament without a vote.
Protests became violent at times, and weeks-long strikes paralyzed much of French public life.
Macron decided to call off the visit, which would have been King Charles’ first formal travel overseas as monarch.
The Elysee palace said the president wished “to welcome His Majesty King Charles III in conditions which reflect our friendly relations”.