King Charles was in good spirits as he hosted an international reception on sustainability at Buckingham Palace this afternoon.
Charles, 75, welcomed business leaders and climate organizations to the palace for the event in London on Wednesday, November 6.
Among those attending were Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband and Environment Secretary Steve Reed.
The aim of the talks was to increase action on climate issues before negotiations on the Global Plastics Treaty end at the end of the year, and before the UN climate change conference Cop29, which will be held in Azerbaijan.
During the reception in London on November 6, the King also revealed his regret at not visiting Fiji on his recent royal tour of Australia and Samoa after being advised against it for medical reasons.
King Charles was in good spirits as he hosted an international reception on sustainability at Buckingham Palace this afternoon.
Charles, 75, welcomed business leaders and climate organizations to the palace for the event in London on Wednesday, November 6.
Speaking to Fijian High Commissioner Jovilisi Vulailai Suveinakama, Charles admitted: “I felt so bad about not being able to get to Fiji (on the royal tour) that the doctors wouldn’t let me.”
Charles visited the region in October, but the tour was scaled back on doctors’ advice due to the 75-year-old monarch’s recent cancer diagnosis, and trips to New Zealand and Fiji were scrapped from his plans.
However, Charles appeared upbeat and positive during Wednesday’s reception, with the king choosing an elegant navy suit for the occasion.
He pinned a commemorative poppy brooch to the lapel of his jacket and chose a printed tie and matching pocket square to accessorize for the evening.
During the event, Charles was seen greeting guests, including Lammy and retired English sailor Dame Ellen MacArthur DBE.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs led a debate on ending plastic pollution, held in partnership with the Ellen McCarther Foundation.
Emma Hardy, Minister for Water and Floods, hosted the talk and said: “The King is clearly very passionate – both the plastics treaty and his support are really important as we gain momentum over the coming weeks.”
Sophie Westlake, deputy director of the government’s international energy team, added: ‘There was real interest in the UK stepping up. It was about trying to determine who in the financial sector is willing and prepared to take that journey with us.
“The King is willing to encourage and be part of the mission we set out to do.”
Among those attending was the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy.
Charles in conversation with Dame Ellen MacArthur
King Charles shakes hands with Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband (second right)
The King brought together leading voices from the public and private sectors at the reception to highlight progress and opportunities for collaboration on international sustainability issues, including climate change and plastic pollution.
Queen Camilla was notably absent from the reception after she canceled her public engagements on Tuesday, November 5, so she could recover from a nasty chest infection.
The 77-year-old royal is understood to be recovering at her home in Wiltshire and being monitored by doctors.
Earlier this week, Country & Town House magazine honored Charles in its annual list of ‘Future Icons Power People’ for his long-standing commitment to highlighting the effects of climate change.
The Prince of Wales was also named to the list of sustainability changemakers, in recognition of the launch of the Earthshot Initiative, supported by the Princess of Wales.
Earlier this week, Country & Town House magazine honored Charles in its annual list of ‘Future Icons Power People’ for his long-standing commitment to highlighting the effects of climate change.
Charles’ latest official engagement comes days after it was revealed the king is making millions from the cash-strapped NHS.
Meanwhile, the king and queen are ready to Visit Italy next year. if health permits.
Charles, who is still undergoing cancer treatment, would have been “uplifted” by his recent trip to Australia and Samoa, where he performed up to 10 engagements a day.
The king will return to a “full programme” of foreign tours next year following a new vote of confidence in his health from his doctors.
And sources close to Charles, who stopped treatment to undertake the 30,000-mile, 11-day round trip, explained it was all part of his “mind, body and soul” approach to his battle with cancer.
Travel in particular is seen as a tonic for the king, who will likely visit the capital city of Rome and schedule an audience with the Pope at the Vatican.
Charles was so encouraged by his Australian tour, as were his doctors, that he hopes to be back to normal next year.
“We are now working on a full overseas tour schedule which looks quite normal for next year,” a senior royal official said, suggesting that the traditional spring and autumn tours will be back in play.
Speaking about a possible visit to Italy, a royal source told The Mirror: “The King is keen to leave and is incredibly positive about making plans for the future.
“Although in the early stages, a visit to Italy would provide a fantastic opportunity for the King and Queen to represent the UK and see some of the incredible sites of one of our closest neighbours.”
King Charles meets Environment Secretary Steve Reed at the reception at Buckingham Palace.
Another insider said the King was “eager to make up for lost time”, having taken a step back to undergo cancer treatment.
Charles is said to be optimistic and sees the future as “bright”, which cannot always be said to have been the case after the king was diagnosed earlier this year.
After the initial shock of such a “surprising” diagnosis, he realized “in an instant” how much he had in common with so many millions of people in the UK and across the Commonwealth.
They say it has been a great source of strength for him to talk to others about their shared experiences.
And he hopes others have taken comfort in the fact that even “a king can get cancer.”
