A Cabinet minister sought to deny claims on Sunday that Liz Truss ordered King Charles III to stay away from next month’s Cop27 climate change summit in Egypt.
Despite the king's longstanding and passionate commitment to environmental issues, Buckingham Palace confirmed he will not be attending the international gathering in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh.
The decision not to go was taken after the prime minister raised objections during an audience with the monarch last month amid questions over the government’s commitment to the net-zero target, reported The Sunday Times.
However, Levelling Up Secretary Simon Clarke said the decision had been mutually agreed by the government and the palace, while ministers insisted they remain committed to the target of net-zero emissions by 2050.
“It’s been clear this is a decision that has been made consensually between the king and the government,” Mr Clarke told Times Radio.
“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.”
King Charles III’s 13 residences across the UK - in pictures
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Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of UK sovereigns since 1837. Photo: Alamy -
The ballroom at Buckingham Palace set up for a state banquet. Photo: Alamy -
Windsor Castle in Berkshire was one of Queen Elizabeth II's favourite places. King Charles III inherited it as part of the Crown Estate. Photo: Alamy -
A state banquet was held for the visit of former India President Prathibha Patil at Windsor Castle in 2009. Photo: Alamy -
The Palace of Holyroodhouse on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile is the official residence of the British monarchy in Scotland. Photo: Alamy -
The Great Stair inside Holyroodhouse Palace. Photo: Alamy -
Hillsborough Castle in County Down was built in 1779 and is King Charles’s official residence in Northern Ireland. Photo: Alamy -
The formal gardens of 18th century Hillsborough Castle are open to the public. Photo: Alamy -
Sandringham House in Norfolk is mentioned in the 11th century Domesday Book and is where the royals traditionally spend Christmas. Photo: Alamy -
The 20,200-hectare Balmoral estate in Scotland is privately owned by the royals and passed to King Charles following the queen’s death. Photo: Alamy -
Inside Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire. Prince Charles and Princess Diana had part of their honeymoon on the estate in 1981. Photo: Alamy -
Highgrove House in Gloucestershire is the family residence of King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla and has its own organic farm. Photo: Alamy -
The meadows at Highgrove House. Many of the organic products for King Charles's Duchy Originals produce line are made on the estate. Photo: Alamy -
Clarence House in Westminster is the London home of the king and his wife. Photo: Alamy -
Clarence House was the former home of the late Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth II gave birth to Princess Anne there. Photo: Alamy -
Birkhall House was built in 1715 and is where King Charles and Camilla spent their honeymoon. Photo: Alamy -
King Charles's 77-hectare Llwynywermod Estate in the Brecon Beacons was once owned by a relative of Anne Boleyn, one of Henry VIII’s wives. Photo: Alamy -
Inside Llwynywermod in Wales. The grounds comprise three cottages, a grade II-listed barn and a main house. Photo: Alamy -
King Charles inherited the Castle of Mey in Scotland from his grandmother when she died in 2002. Photo: Alamy -
Princess Margaret's room in the Castle of Mey in Caithness. Photo: Alamy -
Dumfries House in Scotland is set on a 2,000-acre estate which was purchased by the Prince’s Foundation for £45 million in 2007. Photo: Alamy -
The Red Dining Room in Dumfries house. The 18th century stately home is an example of Palladian architecture. Photo: Alamy -
King Charles owns Tresco Island in the Isles of Scilly, as well as the six-bedroom Dolphin House. Photo: Dolphin House -
The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge enjoyed a holiday at Dolphin House in 2019 with their children. Tresco Island is home to just 175 residents. Photo: Dolphin House
Earlier, a No 10 source said it is “ridiculous” to suggest the prime minister “gives orders” to the monarch.
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, Charles would go to Egypt, having addressed the Cop26 summit in Glasgow the previous year.
His elder son, William, the then Duke of Cambridge, also spoke at the event, while the queen recorded an opening address urging world leaders to take action on climate change.
However, a government source said the palace and the government “considered separately and then agreed jointly” that there might be “more suitable options” for Charles’s first overseas visit as monarch.
"I think it is very different when you are the host country for a major event like Cop to have the head of state involved as opposed to the head of state going to what is an event being hosted in Egypt," said Mr Clarke.
“It is the normal course of matters that this would be handled by the government rather than by the monarchy.”
King Charles visits UK Parliament – in pictures
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Britain's King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla sit at Westminster Hall, where both Houses of Parliament are meeting to offer their condolences after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, in London. AP -
King Charles gives his address thanking the members of the House of Lords and the House of Commons for their condolences. PA -
The king observes proceedings from his seat at Westminster Hall. PA -
Yeomen of the Guard march through Westminster Hall. Getty Images -
British Prime Minister Liz Truss in attendance. Getty Images -
A packed Westminster Hall at the Houses of Parliament. Getty Images -
Britain's former prime minister Boris Johnson awaits the arrival of King Charles. Getty Images -
Yeomen of the Guard arrive for the presentation of addresses. Getty Images -
The order of events. Getty Images -
King Charles waves as he leaves Clarence House for Westminster Hall. AP -
The king and the queen consort pass Big Ben en route to Westminster Hall. PA
Despite not attending the event in person, it is understood the king still hopes to be able to contribute to the conference in some way.
While Boris Johnson became an enthusiastic advocate for the cause of net zero, Ms Truss is thought to be more sceptical of the green agenda, a suspicion that is likely to be fuelled by the latest disclosure.
There was dismay among activists when she appointed Jacob Rees-Mogg — who has blamed “climate alarmism” for high energy prices — as business secretary with overall responsibility for energy policy.
However, Conservative Party chairman Jake Berry told Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday: “The government remains committed to the net-zero target by 2050.”
“Net zero is not only the right thing to do ecologically and environmentally, it is the right thing to do economically," Mr Clarke said.
“The opportunities of moving to a net-zero economy are absolutely enormous.”
King Charles III hosts world leaders at Buckingham Palace reception - in pictures
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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, arrives for a reception hosted by Britain's King Charles III for heads of state and official overseas guests, at Buckingham Palace in London on Sunday, on the eve of the funeral for Queen Elizabeth II. AP -
British Prime Minister Liz Truss arrives at Buckingham Palace on Sunday. AFP -
Britain's Foreign Secretary James Cleverly arrives at Buckingham Palace in London with his wife Susannah for the reception. AFP -
US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill arrive for the reception. AFP -
Mr Biden in his presidential car 'The Beast' as it drives to Buckingham Palace on Sunday. AFP -
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte arrive for the reception hosted by King Charles. AP -
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and husband Heiko arrive for the reception. AP -
Israel's President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal arrive at Buckingham Palace. AFP -
Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia arrive at the reception hosted by King Charles at Buckingham Palace. PA -
King Hamad of Bahrain arrives at the reception. AP -
Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad, Crown Prince of Kuwait, arrives at Buckingham Palace. AP -
Oman's Sultan Haitham arrives at the reception. AP -
Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan arrives for the reception. AP -
Queen Rania of Jordan arrives at Buckingham Palace with King Abdullah II (not shown). AP -
Jordanian King Abdullah and Queen Rania arrive. AP -
Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim walks into the reception hosted by Britain's King Charles. AP -
Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia arrive at the palace. AP -
World leaders and heads of state arrive for the reception at Buckingham Palace in London. PA -
World leaders and heads of state arrive for the reception at Buckingham Palace in London. PA -
World leaders and heads of state arrive for the reception at Buckingham Palace in London. PA -
World leaders and heads of state arrive for the reception at Buckingham Palace in London. PA -
World leaders and heads of state arrive for the reception at Buckingham Palace in London. PA
