King Charles III won't attend COP27 after Truss reportedly 'objected'

The then Prince Charles at a sponsored bike ride in June 2021

King Charles III will not travel to next month's United Nations climate summit in Egypt, Buckingham Palace confirmed on Sunday, after UK Prime Minister Liz Truss reportedly "objected" to the keen environmentalist attending.

Britain's new monarch, who took the throne when his mother Queen Elizabeth II died last month, had intended to deliver a speech to world leaders gathering at the COP27 summit on November 6-18, the Sunday Times reported.

Queen Elizabeth addressed the last UN climate summit in November 2021, with the blessing of the Tory government led by Truss's predecessor Boris Johnson.

"With mutual friendship and respect there was agreement that the king would not attend," it told the BBC.

Her newly assembled cabinet contains a number of ministers who have expressed scepticism about the so-called 2050 net zero goals, while Truss herself is seen as less enthusiastic about the policy than predecessor Johnson.

Britain hosted the last summit, COP26, in the Scottish city Glasgow. In addition to the late queen, Charles and his son William both addressed the event.

Downing Street declined to comment on the report.

Meanwhile, Conservative party chairman Jake Berry told the broadcaster the government was "committed to the net zero target by 2050".

"King Charles is a globally respected voice on the environment and climate change," Ellwood added. 

The Sunday Times said the episode was "likely to fuel tensions" between Charles and Truss, but cited a government source who claimed the audience had been "cordial" and there had "not been a row".

"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(27)."

However, despite not attending in person, reports said the king still hopes to be able to contribute in some form to the conference.

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Originally published as King Charles III won't attend COP27 after Truss reportedly 'objected'