The decision was "taken by the French and British governments, after a telephone exchange between the President of the Republic and the King this morning, in order to be able to welcome His Majesty King Charles III in conditions that correspond to our relationship of friendship," the French presidency wrote in a statement, promising a rescheduling of the visit "as soon as possible".
King Charles and Camilla are looking forward to going to France "as soon as dates can be found," Buckingham Palace said.
This announcement comes the day after a 9th day of demonstrations throughout the France against the flagship reform of the head of state, marked by a very strong mobilization and a multiplication of violence in the processions.
On that day alone, 441 police and gendarmes were injured. No figures are available for the protesters.
On the evening of this mobilization, the inter-union called for a new day of demonstrations and strikes on Tuesday.
Under these conditions, the king's visit was of the greatest concern. His precise program had not been published while Charles III was to land in Paris on Sunday evening. He was to speak Monday before senators and deputies and participate in a state dinner at the Palace of Versailles, in the company of Queen Consort Camilla.
"The meeting of kings in Versailles dispersed by popular censorship," ironically said on Twitter the France rebellious leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon.
UK Ambassador to France Peter Ricketts expressed his understanding. "It was a difficult decision. But understandable. State visits are a time for celebration and this was not the time," he said.
© 2023 AFP