OPINION - King Charles’ state visit to France cancelled amid violent protests

A million people on the streets, windows smashed and Bordeaux town hall set ablaze. At first glance, this is a stunning overreaction to Kylian Mbappé being named France captain ahead of Antoine Griezmann. But on closer inspection, it appears this relates to President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to raise the retirement age by two years to 64.

Given the, erm, history of anti-monarchy sentiment in France turbocharged by economic hardship, the UK and French governments agreed today to postpone King Charles’ state visit, which had been due to include a ride along the Champs-Elysées in Paris and a banquet at Versailles with Macron.

The King’s trip to Germany on Wednesday is still set to go ahead. Interesting nonetheless that his first two foreign visits were to European allies, rather than, say, a Commonwealth country.

I’ve not been following French pensions policy as closely as one might but I did enjoy this performance from Macron involving silly voices which I’m sure will have gone down well in France.

Incidentally, if you’re wondering how the British government skilfully avoided this particular public policy nightmare, it has done so by overseeing falling life expectancy projections. The current UK state pension age of 66 is set to rise to 68 from 2044, but ministers had intended to bring this forward by several years. That decision has now been postponed.

Elsewhere in the paper, Royal Editor Robert Jobson has a fascinating deep dive into what to expect at the King’s coronation and the modern (royal) family to follow.

In the comment pages, Emily Sheffield says whisper it, but Rishi Sunak may now be on course to win the next election. Financial Editor Simon English says J D  Wetherspoons is a national treasure – but not for the reason you think. While I pay tribute to the early noughties glory era of Soccer AM, the show that made every Saturday morning feel like cup final day.

And finally, Crouch End has been named the best London neighbourhood to live in for 2023 by the Sunday Times. And not just because it is home to my favourite French restaurant in the capital, Les 2 Garçons.

Have a lovely weekend.

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