King Charles III has held an audience with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in the context of her working visit to the United Kingdom.
His Majesty welcomed her to Windsor Castle for an audience on topics such as the joint challenges faced by the UK and the EU, including the support to Ukraine in the conflict and the fight against climate change, according to EU Commission President von der Leyen’s office.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe EU Commission President travelled to Windsor for a crucial meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to find an accord on the Northern Ireland Protocol, one of the points that are still unresolved from Brexit.
The Windsor Agreement, as it has been dubbed, was a crucial part of completing the Brexit process, as the UK country in their neighbouring island had been asking for a safeguard of their special economic interests.
Some have levelled criticism at the King’s feet, saying that he has allowed himself to be pulled into the UK’s political game by welcoming EU Commission President von der Leyen.
But others have pointed out that he is merely doing his job as head of State and that, before him, his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was also seen welcoming controversial figures into the Palace as they arrived in the UK for work.
The Windsor Agreement has only been reached “in principle”, meaning that some details still have to be laid out when it comes to practical issues, but this represents a huge step forward on a topic that has been a thorn in the side of many Brexit supporters since the referendum’s vote went into effect in January 2020.
Three Prime Ministers have been trying to measure themselves with the subject, and so far, there has only been slow incremental progress. Therefore, the reaching of this agreement between PM Sunak and EU Commission President von der Leyen is a success.
All of this comes as King Charles and Queen Camilla’s Coronation Day approaches, and questions have long been lingering about the guest list for the ceremony: will EU leaders make an appearance?
