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
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
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
