KING Charles will not attend next month’s Cop27 international climate change summit in Egypt, it has been announced.
The Sunday Times had reported that Prime Minister Liz Truss had objected to him attending the gathering during an audience at Buckingham Palace last month.
Neither Downing Street nor the Palace offered comment on reports which said the King had wanted to deliver a speech to delegates at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
A No 10 source did however say it was “ridiculous” to suggest that the Prime Minister “gives orders” to the monarch.
Nevertheless, by convention, all overseas official visits by members of the royal family are undertaken in accordance with advice from the Government.
Before he ascended the throne, there had been speculation that, as Prince of Wales, he would go to Egypt having attended the Cop26 summit in Glasgow the previous year.
It is believed however that after he sought advice from the government it was agreed that this would not be the right occasion for Charles to make his first overseas visit as sovereign.
The Sunday Times quoted a senior royal source saying: “It is no mystery that the King was invited to go there. He had to think very carefully about what steps to take for his first overseas tour, and he is not going to be attending Cop.”
The source added that the decision was made on the Government’s advice and was “entirely in the spirit of being ever-mindful as King that he acts on Government advice”.
A No 10 spokeswoman said: “We do not comment on meetings between the Prime Minister and the King.”
However, a Government source said the Palace and the Government “considered separately and then agreed jointly” that there might be “more suitable options” for the King’s first overseas visit.
On Sunday Levelling Up Secretary Simon Clarke said the government and the Palace mutually agreed to the decision.
He told Times Radio: "It's been clear this is a decision that has been made consensually between the King and the Government.
"That is a decision that has been made amicably, as far as I am aware, between the Palace and the Government.
"The suggestions this morning that he was ordered to stay away are simply not true."
Despite not attending the event in person it is believed that the King still hopes to be able to contribute in some form to the conference.
Charles and his eldest son William both spoke at last year’s Cop26 event while the Queen recorded an opening address urging assembled world leaders to take action on climate change.
There was previously dismay among activists for Truss when she appointed Jacob Rees-Mogg – who has railed against net zero targets and policies – as Business Secretary with overall responsibility for energy policy.
