‘Stay home’ Charles will still be passionate over the cause
KING Charles hosted a Buckingham Palace reception to encourage world and business leaders to act on climate change yesterday.
But as head of state he avoided making the campaigning public speeches he used to deliver as Prince of Wales.
The reception marked the UK handing over the presidency of the UN Climate Change Conference to the Egyptian hosts of COP27 next week. Glasgow hosted COP26 last year.
Rishi Sunak paid tribute to the King’s leadership on environmental issues.
The Prime Minister said: “His Majesty has been working to help find practical solutions to climate change and biodiversity loss for more than 50 years.
“I believe the agreements we reached in Glasgow are a source of hope for the world.”
He added: “As recent events have shown, delivering on the promise of Glasgow is more important than ever.”
More than 200 politicians, international business leaders and environmentalists gathered at the palace for the reception.
Guests included John Kerry, the US special presidential envoy for climate, former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg and fashion designer Stella McCartney.
The King was first greeted by Mr Sunak and Ms McCartney, who after kissing the monarch on both cheeks, said: “I think I’m supposed to do this now,” as she dropped a low curtsy.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey and Mia Mottley, the Prime Minister of Barbados who greeted Charles with a bear-hug and kisses, were also guests.
During his speech, Mr Sunak also referenced Queen Elizabeth’s virtual address to the COP26 summit, when the late monarch called on world leaders to come together to act on climate change.
Charles had originally planned to go to Egypt but when he became king, the then prime minister Liz Truss told him she did not think it was appropriate.
Tech entrepreneur Federico Marchetti will travel to COP27 to speak at a panel event on behalf of the King’s Sustainable Markets Initiative on Monday, about making the fashion industry greener.
Following the reception, the King planted a lime tree for the Queen’s Green Canopy in the garden of Buckingham Palace.