William Molinié 19:42 pm, March 23, 2023

After the stormy demonstrations that took place this Thursday, especially in the capital, the police will have little time to recharge the batteries. From Sunday evening, they will have to supervise the arrival of King Charles III of England in Paris, then in Versailles and finally in Bordeaux.

Across the Channel, the British worried about the safety of their King Charles III, expected in France on Sunday evening, can be reassured at least on one point. This trip was the subject of a very precise study by French domestic intelligence, as is systematically the case when foreign heads of state visit the territory. According to information gathered by Europe 1, the dinner between Emmanuel Macron and Charles III planned at the Palace of Versailles was classified last week at the "T4" level by the unit for the coordination of the fight against terrorism (UCLAT), the lowest level in terms of terrorist risk. A reassessment of the threat is due to take place this Friday.

100% of DOPC personnel mobilized

This first official visit to France is being closely watched by His Majesty's subjects in a particularly tense context linked to strikes and demonstrations against the pension reform. The Crown fears that the animosity of the protesters will tarnish the image of a king who is to be crowned in a few weeks. Several calls to "spoil [this] princely moment" have already been launched on social networks.

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From Sunday evening, the Parisian police engaged on the demonstrations in the capital will have to be on the bridge again. For example, 100% of the police officers of the Directorate of Public Order (DOPC) of the prefecture of police were recalled to their posts. Their mission: to prevent any spontaneous demonstration near the king, especially when he will walk down the Avenue des Champs-Elysées on Monday alongside Emmanuel Macron after rekindling the flame of the unknown soldier.

Securing bridges and crossings

It is the Versailles dinner, at this stage still planned, which will concentrate the most resources: local personnel, CRS, mobile gendarmes, counter-terrorism services, not to mention the close security of the king, provided by the France but also that of the British Crown. A security puzzle in sight... As for the TGV journey between Montparnasse station and Bordeaux, it is described as sensitive. The police will have to secure the interior of the train, but also the bridges and level crossings.

Any incident around the king's course will most certainly be brandished as a trophy. A way for opponents of the pension reform to weaken a little more Emmanuel Macron, very concerned about his image on the international scene.