The monarch and his wife are making their first trip, to Paris then to Bordeaux, since Charles’ accession to the throne. London hopes to take advantage of this to strengthen its ties with France and Europe.
Charles III’s visit to France, from Wednesday September 20 to Friday September 22, may seem trivial. However, it has political significance. The arrival of the British royal couple, a first in France since Charles’ accession to the throne, in Paris then in Bordeaux, sends an important message.
The British government wanted this move. Little is known, but no official trip abroad by the King of England takes place without the consent of the Prime Minister. Thus, Charles III was unable to go to COP27, the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, in Egypt, in March 2023. Downing Street refused him.
The crown is an element of influence. Consequently, the monarch does not go anywhere, just as he does not receive just anyone.
Rebuilding links with Europe
Charles III’s visit is a way for London to mark the importance of ties between the two countries. As a reminder, Charles was due to travel to France for his first visit as the new monarch. The excesses linked to demonstrations against pension reform delayed its arrival.
>> Transition, “wink” and “warm relationship”… These symbols around the visit of King Charles III to France
He first went to Germany, before coming to France. Two founding countries of the European Union for his first two official trips. Seven years after the Brexit referendum, this choice may seem strange. It’s actually a way for London to reconnect.
Even if the king will be careful not to mention leaving Europe, according to the British historian Munro Price. He quotes Léon Gambetta: “Let’s always think about it, never talk about it! (…) I don’t think he’ll say anything political.”
“What the monarchy does wonderfully is politics through symbolism.”
Munro Price, British historianat franceinfo
“The British monarchy has over 1,000 years of experience doing this”continues Munro Price. “The symbolism of seeing a king of England, at this moment, in France, will say it all!”
Like in chess, the King is the most valuable
Elizabeth II had chosen to make her first trip, as Queen, to the Commonwealth. Royal logic would have dictated that his son would do the same, to try to reinvigorate this intergovernmental organization, essentially bringing together former territories of the British Empire, which were losing momentum.
But the current political power in Westminster has other intentions. It was important for the Crown to go to Europe at this time, according to Ed Owens. “Governments come and go. They often make unpopular policies, and there may be temporary breakdowns in relationsanalyzes this specialist in the monarchy. The King serves to remind everyone, in the United Kingdom and in France, of the enduring bond between the two countries.”
In chess, the king is the most valuable piece. We always move it with great caution. It’s quite similar with Charles III.
A “Sunak effect” between London and Paris
The monarch’s visit marks a warming of relations between the United Kingdom and France. They were tense when Boris Johnson was in Downing Street. Exchanges have clearly improved since Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister in October 2022. On the French side, we are even talking about a “Sunak effect”.
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However, he is a Brexiter from the start. But he knows that he needs France, without being part of the European Union, and without the intention of returning. Proof that the Prime Minister and his government have moved closer to Paris, Rishi Sunak himself visited the French president in March 2023. This was the first Franco-British summit since 2018, while this meeting is supposed to take place every year.
“We have left the European Union but not Europe.”
Rishi Sunak, British Prime Ministerduring his visit to France, in March 2023
“Brexit has not changed the geographyexplains Rishi Sunak. We want a close relationship to undertake and collaborate with our European partners and allies. It starts with our closest neighbor, France.”
Diplomatic warming
This royal visit is part of a series of signs showing that the current is flowing again between London and the Old Continent. In February 2023, the Windsor Agreement was signed to resolve Northern Ireland’s difficult exit from the Union. At the start of September 2023, the United Kingdom joined Horizon, a European cooperation program on research, innovation and space.
Rishi Sunak even decided to host the meeting of the European Political Community in 2024, a new body created under the leadership of France, in the context of the war in Ukraine.
The visit of King Charles III and Camilla is therefore part of this diplomatic warming. They come to make beautiful statements. As for what they think about this whole political context, they should not say it.