It is clear that King Charles is disappointed that his first state visit as monarch has been cancelled. Dude had been looking forward to spending time in Versailles and Paris. However, the French protesters had another idea and began to threaten Dude with the guillotine. C'est la vie. The elves of the king are now trying to make Charles feel better about his trip, which begins on Wednesday. There's also a desperate attempt to portray Charles as a world leader beloved and loved by other leaders around the globe. It is fascinating to see Charles appear so desperate. Here are some highlights from The Times

Sanguine Charles: Although the King was looking forward to his first state trip to France on Sunday, it is believed that he was completely "sanguine” when President Macron called him yesterday morning to end it.

Charles and Germany's warm relationship: Germany has taken Charles as its neighbor, and President Frank Walter Steinmeier, with whom Charles shares a "warm relation", will now host him for his first major moment on the international stage when he arrives in Berlin on Wednesday afternoon.

Charles is loved by world leaders: Since he was elected King in September, ambassadors from around the globe, as well as global leaders like President Zelensky (Ukraine) and Ursula von der Leyen (EU Commission president), have made a pilgrimage to Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle to meet the new head of the UK's state. According to a source close to the King, "World leaders want to meet him." People want to hear from him and have shown great interest in the transition. His coronation will see many world leaders.

President Steinmeier is doing what is best: In a gesture of gratitude and respect for the King's last overseas trip before his coronation, May 6, President Steinmeier will give Charles and Camilla the highest honours by announcing a series of historic "firsts". The King will be the first foreign head of state since postwar to receive a ceremonial reception at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate. He will also become the first British monarch ever to address Germany's Bundestag in a speech that he will deliver in both German and English. He does not speak the language fluently, as his father Prince Philip.

The reception: Charles was invited to Germany by Steinmeier during the Queen's funeral in September. He will host a state banquet at his Schloss Bellevue residence on Wednesday night.

[From The Times]

"World leaders really want him to visit them...people want to hear from him." It's so sad that Charles's own courtiers tried to sell him to a domestic audience by telling British citizens that foreign leaders love Charles. Zelenskyy's and the EU president's visits are not "flocking", I think. Zelenskyy, a war-president who is desperate to save his country's people, is not a fe-king groupie. Apart from that, I think most world leaders will skip the bloody coronation. President Biden won't be coming and Charles is likely to get a few Commonwealth prime ministers and European leaders.

Photos courtesy Backgrid, Avalon Red.