The UK government admitted Friday that it had asked King Charles III, a self-confessed environmental advocate, not to attend the upcoming Climate Summit in Egypt, citing the fact that this year’s event is not «of the same standard» as previous conferences.
During her short tenure, former Prime Minister Liz Truss asked the UK monarch not to travel to COP27, even though he was scheduled to attend as a special guest, although Downing Street had refused to comment on the matter, as reported by Sky News.
However, the new Executive of Rishi Sunak has acknowledged that «it was unanimously agreed» that King Charles III would not attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference, which will take place in the city of Sharm el-Sheikh, nor will the Prime Minister.
«As is standard practice, the advice of the Government under a previous Prime Minister was sought and provided, and it was unanimously agreed that it would not be the right occasion for the King (Charles III) to visit in person,» a spokeswoman for the British Executive told the channel.
The reason that would justify this request, according to Downing Street, is that «the great COPs» are usually held once every five years, and that the rest do not have «the same level».
«The ‘big COPs’ tend to happen every five years (…) But, in between, it tends to be more, I won’t say low profile, but not the same level of heads of state and prime ministers,» said Environment Secretary Therese Coffey.
However, the head of the United Kingdom’s Environment Department has clarified that, despite the Government’s request to the monarch, «it is up to him» to decide whether or not to attend this year’s major climate event.
«I am aware that King Charles has always been very interested in the environment and climate change,» said Coffey in an interview with Sky News.
This same Friday, the British Prime Minister announced that he will not attend COP27, assuring that around the same time he will be engaged in tackling the «depressing economic challenges» facing the country.
«I think it’s appropriate at this time that I’m also focusing on the depressing domestic challenges we have with the economy. I think that’s what people would reasonably expect from me,» Sunak remarked, as reported by SkyNews.
The decision of the British premier not to attend the meeting has quickly sparked criticism from international organizations such as Greenpeace, which has criticized the prime minister for not taking the climate challenge «seriously enough». From opposition benches, in addition to Labor Starmer; Caroline Lucas, from the Greens, has called Sunak’s decision a «mockery».
King Charles III is considered the most active member of the British royalty in defending his commitment to the fight against climate change and environmental protection. The monarch has often used his position to advocate concrete actions to combat the climate crisis.
