King Charles III, dubbed as ‘The  Climate king’ might create friction with Prime Minister Liz Truss

King Charles III has always been a staunch supporter of climate change since his early twenties as he gave a speech on pollution. At the age of 73, he founded certain sustainability initiatives and called both the business and government to take necessary steps on climate action; even in his essay, he mentioned,

“The world is on the brink, and we need the mobilizing urgency of a war-like footing if we are to win.”

With a new Prime Minister and her cabinet Ministers, this climate change can put King Charles III in trouble with the current politicians. Liz Truss is a member of the Conservative Party’s right-wing and was picked up by her party to succeed Boris Johnson.

Liz Truss has questioned the government plans on renewable energy and promises to increase investment in fossil fuels. 

Will climate change bring issues

The energy secretary was also questioned whether human activity is to blame for climate change and if anybody should even strive to stop additional global warming, which is the most concerning development for environmentalists.

Though dispute between the King and the Prime Minister is very rare, the duos will further discuss this during their weekly meeting in Buckingham Palace along with other important government decisions; the British monarch is a mostly ceremonial role being a figurehead. 

The King is expected to refrain from any thoughts and has to distance himself from politics. During Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign, she was renowned for her success in this area, hardly ever revealing her opinions on local, national, or international affairs.

Also Read: After the succession of King Charles III, grandkids get new royal titles

King Charles can’t refrain from his idea

Many anticipate Charles, an uncharacteristically vocal prince, will have a harder time keeping quiet and, more particularly, with the environmental issues. Advocates speculate that he may use his royal position to his advantage by subtly advancing the environmental cause or portraying the earth’s future as a nonpolitical concern.

Charles’ public persona as the Prince of Wales was built on his commitment to the environment. Beginning in the 1970s, he spoke out against concerns including industrial agriculture, plastic waste, oil spills, and air pollution.

He also called meetings with international leaders to discuss these issues. In 2004 he started a foundation committed to creating a more sustainable financial system, and in 2010 he started another organization focusing on regenerative farming.

The Prince frequently bragged in interviews about his attempts to live a greener lifestyle, which reportedly included not eating much meat and fueling his Aston Martin with leftover wine and cheesemaking waste. Such viewpoints were held long before environmental. In the early campaign in 2020, he said, “I was considered rather dotty, to say the least.”

His racial speech was deeply criticized when he compared the population exploitation in Africa and other developing regions as a “monumental” challenge for the planet in his 2010 speech at Oxford University. Still, the usage of highly polluting private jets was questioned.

This kindled more discrimination, given that people in Africa contribute to fewer greenhouse gases when compared to residents of countries in the United Kingdom. 

The climate King of the United Kingdom

Few news outlets had named King Charles III “climate King,” but the new Prime Minister is certainly not a climate Prime Minister as she holds little interest in it. 

Even after serving as environment secretary from 2014 to 2016 and 12 years in the parliament, she shows little interest in climate change. Though she had pledged to “double down” on the U.K.’s existing 2050 net-zero emissions goal, activists have serious doubts about her commitment. 

King Charles III was a mere figurehead

King Charles III will not attempt to obstruct any of Liz Truss’ specific environmental measures. According to Prescott, the King or Queen must carry out the intentions of the government under the constitutional monarchy of the U.K. Every item of law enacted by parliament requires the monarch’s approval; yet, it is unimaginable for them to withhold their approval in the modern day.

Charles did a lot of campaigning when he was a Prince by advocating new government policies and better climate action, as this will make controversial as he became a king now.

After King Charles was now aware of his new role, in his first speech after becoming a king, he mentioned, “It will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply.”  

Now the campaign on climate will be taken over by the Prince of Wales, a title which Charles previously owned will continue his role “to continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the centre ground where vital help can be given.”

The next successor in climate change

Prince William has taken a special interest in this climate change in recent years. He established an award for climate innovation in 2020, and in 2021 he condemned commercial space travel as a waste of money that should be utilized “to repair this planet.”

Two most influential areas where King Charles III could fight for the climate. First, to play a diplomatic role by hosting state visits for foreign leaders. 

The second is to hold a weekly meeting with Liz Truss, a board chairman; Prescott says Liz Truss will inform all the daily government activities. Though he has no power to interfere in government decisions still has all right to raise questions about the country’s long-term strategy.

“By all accounts, what the Queen did was sometimes test and probe what the Prime Minister was saying or what the government policy was,” says Prescott, “rather than saying ‘I disagree’ or ‘I think that’s wrong.”

The King might thus represent a little hope for the U.K.’s climate; according to Matthew, “He is more educated about these issues than almost any living politician. I think that makes us incredibly lucky to have him.” 

Robert Poirrer

Robert Poirrer is a contributing author who covers Hollywood latest movie releases and web series for the MovieThop website. He has a decade of experience in writing movies based articles for numerous renowned media outlets. He is excellent at creating unique content based on emerging trends in a variety of categories especially entertainment, movies and lifestyle. When not writing articles you could find Robert enjoying mountain biking trips with his friends. He graduated in English Literature from North Carolina State University.