Macron says 'common sense' required delaying king's visit

French President Emmanuel Macron says "common sense and friendship" led to the cancellation of King Charles III's upcoming visit due to the anti-government protests in France.

Speaking at a news conference after a summit in Brussels, Macron said "We would not be serious … to make a state visit in the middle of protests." He added that proceeding with the visit that had been scheduled to start Sunday ''would have prompted incidents" that would have been "detestable." He said Charles' visit likely would be rescheduled for the beginning of summer.

Macron condemned the violent behaviour that has taken place at some of the protests against his plan to raise France's retirement age from 62 to 64, saying "violence has no place in a democracy."

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