First trip abroad as king: Charles III. wants to set an example of solidarity with Europe
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Strengthening the EU relationship
Will Charles go to Paris first?
9/22/2022, 11:19 a.m.
It would be rather unusual: his first trip abroad could be Charles III. should not lead to a Commonwealth country, but to France – as a sign of solidarity with Europe. In the meantime, the new monarch probably wants to make cutbacks in the royal family itself.
To strengthen bilateral relations after Brexit, the first state visit is the reception of the new King Charles III. lead to France. At least that’s what the Telegraaf reports. The British Foreign Office is keen to use the monarchy’s diplomatic powers to strengthen bridges to its main European neighbors after leaving the EU, the paper writes. The trip, which should take place next month, could therefore also lead to Germany.
Charles was invited to the funeral ceremony for 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, there have been no official foreign trips by the head of state as the queen increasingly suffered from mobility problems.
Charles is well received
According to media reports, the new king plans to downsize the royal family. The conservative tabloid “Daily Express” reported that in the future, in addition to Charles and his Queen Camilla, only the heir apparent Prince William and his wife Princess Kate, Princess Anne and Prince Edward with his wife, Countess Sophie, will play a part.
According to a survey commissioned by Express, this is very popular with the population: only about a third of those polled would like Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan to return to the inner circle of the royal family. 57 percent emphatically do not want that.
The investigation shows great goodwill among the British for their new royal couple. 63 percent of those polled are convinced that Charles has made a good start as a monarch. Even 69 percent believed he would make a good king. 58 percent trust Camilla will shine in the role of Queen’s Queen. Two-thirds (66 percent) of Britons support the monarchy as a form of government. After all, almost a quarter (22 percent) want to abolish them.
However, the plans for a leaner royal family could have consequences for other servants. The PA news agency quoted a letter from Royal Treasurer Michael Stevens saying that “a very small minority of employees (less than 20) who have personally served Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II” could lose their jobs. The Guardian newspaper had previously reported that up to 100 workers at his previous residence, Clarence House, could be fired over Charles’ accession to the throne.
Get along well with Macron
Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8 and was buried Monday after a state funeral at her residence at Windsor Castle. Charles would have flown to his country house in Scotland on Tuesday to mourn his mother privately.
The first thing a new British monarch usually does is visit a Commonwealth country where he is the head of state. However, after Charles took office, it was already said that he would travel to Europe first. That is why a visit to Australia and New Zealand is planned in the spring of 2023. The Foreign Office in London has the final say on royal travel.
The Telegraph reports that Charles got along very well with French President Macron. In addition, the king could then focus on the tree-planting project in Africa, known as the Green Wall, which is intended to combat climate change. It is endorsed by both Charles and Macron.
