King Charles has been urged to cancel his upcoming trip to France as workers will 'refuse' to welcome him and Camilla, Queen Consort in his first state visit as monarch.
Last night it was reported a lavish banquet at the Palace of Versailles hosted by President Emmanuel Macron could be moved or cancelled as a result of the uprisings.
Now union representatives of French workers responsible for ceremonial trappings, such as red carpets, have said its members would not prepare a welcome for the King and Queen Consort when they arrive on Sunday.
It comes as tens of thousands of mainly peaceful demonstrators took to the streets of Paris today but violence erupted when French police clashed with groups who targeted at least two fast food restaurants, a supermarket and a bank.
Sandrine Rousseau, a lawmaker from France’s Green Party, told French channel BFM TV: “Unbelievable. We are going to have Emmanuel Macron, the Republican monarch, welcoming King Charles III in Versailles, while the people in the street are demonstrating.
“Of course [the King should cancel his visit].”
Paris-based writer Stephen Clarke, the author of Elizabeth II, Queen of Laughs, said of the visit: “It’s very bad timing.
“Normally the French would welcome a British king. But in this moment, people protesting are on high alert for any sign of privilege and wealth.”
President Macron is facing renewed public anger for pushing through a bill raising the retirement age to 64 without a vote in the National Assembly, the lower house of the French Parliament.
With piles of uncollected garbage lining the French capital’s boulevards, observers say the optics could not be worse for both Charles and his host.
French labour union CGT union announced this week its members at Mobilier National, the institution in charge of providing flags, red carpets and furniture for public buildings, would not help prepare a Sunday reception for the king upon his arrival in Paris.
A statement said: “We ask our administration to inform the services concerned that we will not provide furnishings, red carpets or flags.”
The Elysee Palace, the French president’s official residence, has said non-striking workers would set up the necessary accoutrements for the trip.
Some opponents accuse the president of being out-of-touch, and Charles has come in for similar criticism and if the protests continue they threaten to overshadow the royal tour.
The trip, which is followed by a state visit to Germany, has been in the planning by the UK and host nations for months.
Highlights of the six-day, historic tour include Charles and Camilla joining their French hosts, President Macron and his wife, Brigitte, for a ceremony of remembrance and wreath laying at the Arc de Triomphe.
Afterwards, the foursome will be part of a procession down the Champs Elysees towards the Elysee Palace, the French president’s official residence, where they will sit down to talks.
Camilla and Mrs Macron will officially open the new Manet and Degas exhibition at the Musee d’Orsay while Charles gives an address from the senate chamber.
The King and Queen Consort will also visit Bordeaux, centre of the wine-growing region and home to many British residents.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment.
