
Although many thought that King Charles would be making significant changes during his reign, he has actually revived a tradition from his late mother’s reign with a political meeting back on the table.
King Charles has once again begun the tradition of the Monarch meeting face-to-face with the Leader of the Opposition.Â
His Majesty welcomed Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch to Buckingham Palace for a one-on-one meeting.Â
They met in the 1844 Room, so-named for Tsar Nicholas I’s visit in 1844; the room is often used for meeting with politicians and visiting foreign heads of state. The late Queen Elizabeth II sometimes recorded her Christmas speech in the 1844 Room.Â
The last Leader of the Opposition who regularly met with Queen Elizabeth II was then Conservative leader, David Cameron, who last visited as opposition leader in 2006.Â
The only other politician who enjoys regular face-to-face meetings with the monarch is the Prime Minister. Sir Keir Starmer speaks with King Charles weekly, as the Prime Minister historically does.Â
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the meeting, so it is unclear what prompted the tradition’s return.Â