First foreign trip to Paris? King Charles III wants to set an example of solidarity with the European Union

Strengthening the relationship with the European Union
Will Charles go to Paris first?

09/23/2022, 13:31 (Updated)

It would be quite unusual: his first trip abroad could be Charles III. It may lead not to a Commonwealth country, but to France – as a sign of solidarity with Europe. In the meantime, the new king may want to cut costs in the royal house itself.

In order to strengthen bilateral relations after Brexit, the first state visit is to welcome the new King Charles III. leads to France. At least that’s what the Telegraph reported. The newspaper wrote that the British Foreign Office is very keen to use the diplomatic powers of the monarchy to strengthen bridges with its most important European neighbors after leaving the European Union. Thus, the flight, which should take place as early as next month, could also lead to Germany.

Charles was invited to the funeral service of Queen Elizabeth II by both French President Emmanuel Macron and Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Germany was one of the last countries where the Queen paid a state visit with her husband Prince Philip in 2015. Since then, the head of state has not made any official foreign trips as the Queen has increasingly struggled with mobility issues.

Charles is well received

According to media reports, the new king is planning to downsize the royal family. The conservative tabloid “Daily Express” reported that in the future, in addition to Charles and his queen Camilla, the only heir to the throne Prince William, his wife Princess Kate, Princess Anne and Prince Edward with his wife Countess Sophie, they will play the title role. Function.

According to a survey conducted by “Express”, this is very popular among the population: only about a third of those surveyed would like Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan to return to the inner circle of the royal family. 57 percent do not explicitly want it.

The poll shows goodwill among Britons for the new royal couple. 63% of those surveyed are convinced that Charles got off to a good start as king. Even 69% were confident that he would be a good king. 58 percent trust Camilla to star in the role of the king’s wife. Two-thirds (66%) of Britons support monarchy as a form of government. After all, nearly a quarter (22 percent) want to cancel it.

However, plans for a slimmer royal family could affect other servants. The Palestinian News Agency quoted a letter from Royal Treasurer Michael Stevens as saying that “a very small minority of employees (less than 20) who personally served Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II may lose their jobs. The Guardian previously reported that up to 100 employees at headquarters His previous residence, Clarence House, could be laid off due to Charles’ ascension to the throne.

I got on well with Macron

Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, and was buried on Monday after a state funeral at her Windsor Castle residence. Charles reportedly traveled to his home in Scotland on Tuesday to mourn his mother in private.

The first thing a new British monarch usually does is visit a Commonwealth country where he is head of state. However, after Charles took office, it was already said that he would travel to Europe first. Accordingly, visits to Australia and New Zealand are scheduled for the spring of 2023. The Foreign Office in London has the final say on royal travel.

The Telegraph reported that Charles was on good terms with French President Macron. In addition, the king can then focus on a tree-planting project in Africa known as the Green Wall, which aims to combat climate change. It was adopted by both Charles and Macron.

(This article was first published on Wednesday, September 21, 2022.)