Will Protests In Paris Change Macron’s Mind?

At the beginning of a recent journey to Ireland from Paris, the French taxi driver asked me how our new king was getting on (many of them think Ireland, Scotland and England are the same place). I immediately launched into the obligatory, angry lesson in Irish history for his benefit. When I calmed down, I told him that his majesty was doing fine, or least a lot better than the prime ministers who have served him.

I even mentioned that well over ten years ago I met Charles III, ahead of a momentous visit by the late Queen to Ireland. The Queen’s visit went very well, despite obvious security concerns, and it played an important part in reconciling Ireland and England. Since then, Charles III has visited Ireland a number of times. He may however, be a lot less well at ease with his next visit, to Paris and Bordeaux.