Canceled six months earlier due to demonstrations against pension reform, the first state visit of King Charles III to France finally took place this Wednesday. A carefully orchestrated official visit, during which the British monarch has already visited the foot of the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Élysées and the Senate.
The welcome given to the King of England by Emmanuel Macron is viewed favorably by a majority of French people (62%), according to an Odoxa-Backbone Consulting survey for Le Figaro. But the splendor of the dinner concocted by star chefs this Wednesday at the Palace of Versailles in honor of the royal couple is the subject of more criticism. 51% of those questioned disapprove of the reception held in the Hall of Mirrors.
Disapproval is stronger among supporters of La France insoumise (65%) and the National Rally (64%). The socialist supporters, more moderate, have 50% dissatisfied while there are only 44% among the Greens. The latter are also more enthusiastic about the royal feast than those close to the Republicans who have 54% of favorable opinions. Unsurprisingly, the figure explodes among Macronists to reach 74%. The royal stay coincides with the first anniversary of Charles III’s reign. If the monarch is far from rivaling the popularity records of his late mother Elizabeth II in France (85%), he manages to garner 62% good opinion among the French. Note that the figure drops to 51% among LFI supporters but rises to 71% on the LR side.
The popularity of the British king is nevertheless overtaken by that of another personality expected in France this Friday. Pope Francis, who will be visiting Marseille for two days, receives 75% favorable opinion among the French, from both the right and the left. Praised by LR sympathizers (93%), Francis even appeals to the left, historically more hostile to the Church. The sovereign pontiff is appreciated by 68% of those close to the PS, 70% of the rebels and 82% of environmentalists.