An extra layer of complication for Prince Charles is that the controversy is about UK immigration policy, but he is travelling to Rwanda to represent the Queen in her role as head of the Commonwealth. Prince Charles will be at the meeting in Rwanda with Boris Johnson and other Commonwealth leaders. (Photo from BBC/Pool Photo) |
[Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] There must have been some spluttering over the royal breakfast when it was realized that the UK government wanted to send asylum seekers to exactly the same place as Prince Charles was heading to meet Commonwealth leaders, BBC reported.
His visit to Rwanda next week has now become the kind of trip where people will be looking for awkward moments - including meeting Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who will also be flying to the Central African country for the Commonwealth gathering. The Commonwealth meeting has an agenda about climate change, economic development, and opportunities for young people, with 60% of the Commonwealth population under the age of 30. But there is now inevitably going to be another agenda - watching out during the formal dinners and photo calls for any signs of a row between the Prince of Wales and the prime minister over refugees.
"Boris versus Charles" would be big box office, and body-language experts will be watching for frozen smiles and lukewarm handshakes. Prince Charles' representatives have restated that he is "politically neutral" and will not comment on "supposed anonymous private conversations". "Matters of policy are decisions for government," says Clarence House. But it's no secret how deeply Charles cares about the issue of helping refugees.