The King welcomed European Fee president Ursula von der Leyen to Windsor Castle after she agreed a new post-Brexit deal for Northern Eire with Rishi Sunak.
His Majesty was pictured warmly shaking palms with Ms von der Leyen at the royal residence after she held a joint press convention with Mr Sunak to stipulate the political growth.
A palace spokesman mentioned: “The King is happy to fulfill any world chief if they’re visiting Britain, and it’s the Authorities’s recommendation that he ought to accomplish that.”
Palace sources have pressured that the King’s involvement wouldn’t be political, that he wouldn’t be concerned in negotiations and that he all the time remained aware of constitutional obligations.
His Majesty has met Mrs von der Leyen on a number of earlier events, and is claimed to have been eager to catch up and develop their “cordial relationship” whereas she was in Windsor.
It comes after Rishi Sunak was accused of dragging the King into politics by involving him within the historic event, elevating questions concerning the judgment of each Quantity 10 and the Palace.
Critics warned that the King’s involvement would give the impression he had given the deal his blessing.
Palace sources insisted that the assembly was organised on the recommendation of the Authorities, which recommended it was an excellent alternative for the pair to debate a broad vary of points, together with local weather change and the scenario in Ukraine.
Mrs von der Leyen shall be greeted on arrival at the fort by the King’s equerry and his non-public secretary. The timing of their assembly will coincide with the conclusion of engagements elsewhere.
Given the tight timetable and the numerous different commitments of the King, the Prime Minister and Mrs von der Leyen, there shall be no additional in-person conferences involving His Majesty.
Nonetheless, the Prime Minister will maintain him updated on all Authorities and state issues as all the time, sources confirmed.
It comes after the palace confirmed that “contingency plans” had been made for the King to fulfill Mrs von der Leyen at Windsor Castle on Saturday earlier than sign-off of the deal was delayed. It has been recommended that the deal could be called the Windsor Agreement.
Sammy Wilson, the Democratic Unionist Get together chief whip, warned that the assembly risked “dragging the King right into a massively controversial political situation”.
Arlene Foster, former first minister of Northern Eire, tweeted: “I can not fairly imagine that No10 would ask HM the King to grow to be concerned within the finalising of a deal as controversial as this one. It’s crass and can go down very badly in NI. We should keep in mind this isn’t the King’s determination however the Authorities, who it seems are tone deaf.”
Jacob Rees-Mogg, a number one Tory Brexiteer, additionally mentioned it might be a mistake for Ms von der Leyen to fulfill the King throughout her UK go to.
The previous Cupboard minister instructed GB Information: “I believe the sovereign ought to solely be concerned when issues have been accomplished and accepted.
“The King provides assent to Acts of Parliament when Parliament has agreed, he doesn’t categorical his view on Acts of Parliament when they’re going by means of the method. I believe the identical applies, that His Majesty shouldn’t be concerned till there’s full help for this settlement.”
