Liz Truss' first weekly audience with the King saw the return of her unique curtsy as King Charles muttered: "Back again? Dear, oh dear." Footage of the awkward exchange at Buckingham Palace involved Truss entering the room and giving her now trademark half-curtsy-half bow, as she extended her arm in greeting.
Ms Truss was heard to say: “It’s a great pleasure.” The pair shook hands in the Audience Room where the monarch discusses Government matters with the prime minister.
The pair appeared to be engaged in light conversation in a meeting that occurred shortly after Ms Truss faced a contentious Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) in Parliament. She insisted she will not cut spending to balance the books as economists and the financial markets continued to question her plans.
Ms Truss told MPs she is “absolutely” not planning public spending reductions, but insisted taxpayers’ money will be used well. It has been rollercoaster week for the under-fire PM.
She is facing Tory rebellion in the face of numerous U-turns - the latest reportedly involving giving consumers advice on how to limit energy use. After PMQs Truss went on a 'charm-offensive' where she lunched with backbenchers and toured tea rooms in parliament in a bid to shore up support from her party.
She then appeared in front of the Conservative 1922 Committee on Wednesday evening, which is reported not to have gone as planned for the PM. Footage of the Buckingham Palace meeting was met with incredulity after ITV news royal editor Chris Ship posted the excerpt on Twitter.
Cathie Hart wrote: "She still hasn't learnt to curtsy properly", whilst Dr Jennifer Cassidy wrote: "A scene straight from The Office... Political awkwardness and unintentional comedy at its finest."
@darwinsbulldog1 wrote: "This episode of The Crown is going to be real treat." Matthew Green wrote: "At times of crisis, we look to national leaders to put into words the mood of the nation. King Charles delivers his subjects' feelings perfectly."
Bibi Blackwood wrote: "God, she's an awkward article..." whilst @captain_clegg_1 wrote: "She looks like baby giraffe when she curtsy."
