Macron: King Charles state visit could not be held amid demonstrations

France could not have gone ahead with a planned state visit by Britain's King Charles because of nationwide demonstations against pension changes, President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday.

"I think we would not be serious and lack common sense to propose to His Majesty the King and the Queen Consort to come do a state visit in the middle of the demonstrations," Macron said in response to questions at a European Union summit in Brussels.

Charles cancelled the visit after unrest over Macron's new pension law erupted into some of the worst street violence seen in years across the country.