King Charles Revives Royal Practice Abandoned by Queen 20 Years Ago
King Charles has reinstated meetings with opposition leaders, a practice dropped by Queen Elizabeth in 2006
King Charles, Kemi Badenoch, Queen Elizabeth, UK, Politics
London: King Charles is making changes to the monarchy. He wants to modernize how things are done. His mother, Queen Elizabeth, preferred tradition. Charles aims to show a fresh face for royalty.
He has already slimmed down the monarchy and updated the Coronation oath. Recently, he revived a practice that Queen Elizabeth stopped nearly 20 years ago.
On Monday, Charles met Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the opposition. Traditionally, the monarch meets with the prime minister weekly. However, meetings with opposition leaders were dropped by the Queen in 2006.
David Cameron was the last opposition leader to meet her. The reason for this change was never explained. Now, Charles wants to meet each new opposition leader when they are elected.
Badenoch won the Tory leadership contest last year. Her party has struggled in polls, often falling behind Labour and Reform UK. Meeting Charles would be a nice change for her.
A royal aide confirmed that this will be a regular practice moving forward. Charles aims to keep these meetings simple and friendly.
While the monarch must remain neutral, the meeting with Badenoch was just an introduction. Charles did not need government permission for this meeting.
Since Cameron became prime minister in 2010, six opposition leaders have come and gone. None had a royal audience until Badenoch.