Royal expert Penny Junor says the Queen only said what the rest of us are thinking
THE Queen’s suggestion that she is irritated by a lack of action in tackling climate change is a “common sense” response reflecting the views of many, royal commentators have said.
She appeared to express her exasperation just a few weeks before world leaders gather in Glasgow for the COP26 UN climate change conference.
Royal biographer Penny Junor said the Queen’s view is not “controversial” and just echoes the frustration of the Prince of Wales and his son, Duke of Cambridge, while royal historian Hugo Vickers said her comments would have been supported by the Duke of Edinburgh.
Charles and William have given interviews this week highlighting a need for action to combat the
environmental threat the planet faces, and will join the Queen at COP26 for a series of royal events.
The Queen’s remarks emerged in clips of a conversation filmed on a smart phone during a reception following the opening of the Welsh Senedd on Thursday.
It is rare for the
Queen’s thoughts on a political topic to be made public and her comment was made during an unguarded moment when she chatted with the Duchess of Cornwall and Elin Jones, the
Welsh Parliament’s Presiding Officer.
In the footage, the Queen reportedly says: “Extraordinary isn’t it...
I’ve been hearing all about COP... still don’t know who is coming... no idea.”
She adds: “We only know about people who are not coming... and it’s really irritating when they talk, but they don’t do.”
Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced he will attend COP26, but in a blow to hopes for what could be achieved, China’s president Xi Jinping will not attend, according to reports.
Ms Junor said of the Queen’s comments: “I think what she has said is really not controversial at all, it’s what most people are thinking.
“Charles has been banging his head against a brick wall on this for years, and now William is out there banging his head.
“I think it’s absolutely fair enough that she should say what she feels.”