King Charles is scheduled to visit France along with the queen later this month. The visit, originally planned for March, was postponed due to violent clashes stemming from pension-reform protests in France.
During the state visit, King Charles will address members of both houses of the French parliament and have a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. The royal couple will also be guests of honor at a state banquet held at the Palace of Versailles.
The visit holds significance as France hosts the Rugby World Cup and prepares to host the 2024 Olympics. The king and queen will have the opportunity to meet sports stars and engage with the prestigious events.
King Charles will address senators and members of the national assembly at the Senate during the visit. Meanwhile, the queen, accompanied by Brigitte Macron, the wife of the French President, will help launch a Franco-British literary prize at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France.
Additionally, the king and President Macron will attend a sustainability reception for British and French business leaders, aiming to discuss their plans to invest in protecting biodiversity and combating the climate crisis.
The royal couple’s itinerary also includes a visit to Bordeaux, which is home to a significant British population and is twinned with Bristol. In Bordeaux, the king will meet emergency workers and communities affected by the 2022 wildfires, focusing on monitoring urban forests’ responses to global heating. They will also meet UK and French military personnel to learn more about their collaboration on defense efforts.
The tour will conclude with a visit to an organic vineyard known for its sustainable approach to winemaking. The vineyard generates its own solar energy and pioneers carbon dioxide capture and conversion.
The state visit aims to celebrate the strong relationship between Britain and France, emphasizing shared histories, culture, and values. The visit also provides an opportunity to showcase collaboration in promoting and protecting biodiversity, combatting climate change, and strengthening security and defense ties.
The visit is considered important in the context of the steadily improving relationship between the two countries. It highlights the full-spectrum relationship encompassing defense, trade, migration, and sustainability. The flexibility demonstrated by both sides in rearranging the visit promptly reflects the importance they attach to strengthening bilateral relations.