King Charles III met with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch in a formal one-to-one audience at Buckingham Palace, reviving a political tradition that had been dormant for nearly two decades. This follows a period where the convention of the monarch meeting with opposition leaders was largely abandoned. The meeting comes amidst ongoing discussions about the King's role in political matters and his commitment to environmental causes.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch held a one-to-one audience with King Charles III today after the monarch revived an old political convention. The King welcomed Mrs. Badenoch in the grand 1844 Room of Buckingham Palace this morning. She is said to be the first opposition leader to have a formal one-to-one audience with a monarch in 19 years.
The last Opposition leader to be welcomed in a formal audience in the months after their appointment was David Cameron, when he met with the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2006. A royal source said: “It was a convention that fell by the way in the latter years of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s reign and seemed a courtesy to revive in the new reign.” It is not known why the tradition lapsed during Labour’s years in opposition. Mrs. Badenoch, who was elected Tory leader in November, was pictured grinning as the smiling King gestured and held his arms out wide at the start of their half-hour meeting. The King and Mrs. Badenoch have met several times before, most recently at Charles’s post-election reception for MPs at the palace last week, and also in June 2023 at a King’s Award for Enterprise reception, when Mrs. Badenoch was trade secretary. Sir Keir Starmer met with Charles two days after Elizabeth II died, but the audience with the Labour leader was a joint one with other opposition leaders and part of the planned schedule of meetings in the aftermath of the Queen’s death. The King holds a private weekly audience with the Prime Minister each Wednesday to discuss Government matters following Prime Minister’s Questions, with the conversation usually taking place face-to-face. Although the King must remain politically neutral on all matters, he is able to advise and warn his ministers – including his prime minister – when necessary.Last month it was reported that the environmentally conscious monarch 'loves' efforts by Net Zero minister Ed Miliband to make the UK greener. The Times reported that the King had praised Mr. Miliband and his work to another senior Labour figure. This is despite critics warning that they could be disastrous for the economy and could drive up domestic bills rather than reduce them. Internally, Labour figures are also said to be nervous of his efforts at a time when they are being pilloried over a failure to yet turn round the economy. Charles's environmentalism is well-known. Last November, Mr Miliband was among ministers, campaigners and business leaders who attended an international sustainability reception he hosted at Buckingham Palace
King Charles III Kemi Badenoch Conservative Party Political Tradition Buckingham Palace Monarchy Environmentalism
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