Controversial meeting between the King and Ursula von der Leyen ‘was at her request’
A CONTROVERSIAL meeting between the King and Ursula von der Leyen was requested by the EU Commission president herself, No 10 insiders claim.
The chat at Windsor Castle enraged Brexiteers and the DUP, who accused Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of dragging His Majesty into politics.
Charles hosted Ms von der Leyen for tea just after the new deal between Britain and Brussels was signed.
Downing Street sources said it was delighted Ms von der Leyen — an Anglophile who studied in London — who wanted the visit.
She was seen snapping photos at the royal landmark.
Buckingham Palace said the King was acting on “government advice”.
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Ex-Cabinet Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg said it would have “antagonised the people” Mr Sunak needs to win over.
He warned it was “constitutionally unwise to involve the King”.
Northern Ireland’s DUP ex-First Minister Arlene Foster said: “I cannot quite believe that No10 would ask the King to become involved.”
As head of state, the King must remain politically neutral.
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The PM’s spokesman said: “It’s not uncommon for His Majesty to accept invitations to meet leaders.”