The King still hopes to travel to Egypt for the COP27 climate change summit to make a major speech on saving the planet, the Standard understands.
Leaders from across the world will gather in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh in November, a year after the COP26 event was staged in Glasgow. It is believed King Charles will discuss with Liz Truss whether he will attend — once the official period of mourning his mother is over.
A close source said: “The King and the Prince of Wales care deeply about our planet. That won’t change now he is King. But the King, as head of state, will seek clarification about his possible attendance from the Prime Minister before taking a decision over COP27.”
The King made an impact and played a key role at COP26 last year. The Queen addressed world leaders via a recorded video message. It comes as it emerged that the King, conscious of the cost-of-living crisis in the UK, wants a scaled-down coronation.
It is also understood his son William, the new Prince of Wales, will look for a smaller-scale investiture in Wales — far less lavish that his father’s in 1969 at Caernarfon Castle. A senior source said: “The royal family and royal household are in an official period of mourning for Her late Majesty. All these matters will be discussed at the appropriate time.”
The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP27, will be the 27th conference and is being staged from November 6 to 18. Speaking at the opening of COP26, Charles called on world leaders to adopt a “warlike footing” to deal with the threat of climate change. He also delivered the opening speech at COP21 in Paris in 2015.
His slimmed-down coronation could take place in May or June next year at Westminster Abbey. It has been suggested it might fall on the same date as his mother’s ceremony, which was on June 2, 1953.
One royal source told the Daily Mirror: “The King is very aware of the struggles felt by modern Britons so will see his wishes carried through that although his coronation ceremony should stay right and true to the long-held traditions of the past, it should also be representative of a monarchy in a modern world.”
The King is grieving privately in Balmoral following the Queen’s funeral on Monday. The period of royal mourning will last until next Monday and no formal engagements will take place during this period.
But planning has already begun for the nation’s first coronation ceremony in 70 years. It will be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. Early April is expected to be ruled out because of Easter.
Before he is crowned, the King’s first state visit could be to France, with sources saying he is “extremely keen” to accept an invitation from “his friend” President Macron, possibly as soon as next month in a tour that could include Germany. Meanwhile members of the public will be able to see the final resting place of Queen Elizabeth in St George’s Chapel, Windsor, from next Thursday.
