King Charles and Prince William will not attend Cop27 summit in Egypt after Liz Truss gave advice

King Charles and his son Prince William will not attend the COP27 climate summit after reportedly being advised to stay away by Liz Truss.

The monarch, who is a climate change advocate, was expected to make a speech at the 27th UN climate change conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, next month.

However, the Prime Minister is said to have “objected” to the plans during an audience at Buckingham Palace last month.

A source told the Sunday Times that after the King sought advice from Government, it was agreed he would not attend.

A senior royal source told the newspaper: “It is no mystery that the King was invited to go there. He had to think very carefully about what steps to take for his first overseas tour, and he is not going to be attending Cop.”

They said the decision was made on the government’s advice and was “entirely in the spirit of being ever-mindful as King that he acts on government advice”.

However, a No 10 source claimed it was “ridiculous” to suggest that the Prime Minister “gives orders” to the monarch.

Last year, the 73-year-old monarch made a speech at the COP26 opening ceremony in Glasgow, when the summit was hosted by the UK and called on world leaders to adopt a "war-like footing" to deal with the threat of climate change.

Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood said in a tweet that he hoped the King would be allowed to go to Egypt, saying that he was a "globally-respected voice" on the environment whose attendance would add "serious authority" to the British delegation.

It was speculated that the Prince of Wales, who, like his father, is also an outspoken environmental campaigner, would stand in, but he is instead choosing to focus on his earthshot prize.

During the platinum jubilee celebrations in June, William made a plea for unity against climate change as pictures of the planet were projected onto Buckingham Palace.

William said: “Tonight has been full of such optimism and joy - and there is hope. Together, if we harness the very best of humankind and restore our planet, we will protect it for our children, for our grandchildren and for future generations to come.”

He added: “As I watch those extraordinary images, it does make me think of all the monumental and pioneering work of so many visionary environmentalists that have gone before.

“I’m so proud that my grandfather and my father have been part of those efforts.”