Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

King Charles III meeting European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen during an audience at Windsor Castle PA Images

King Charles III criticised for ‘constitutionally unwise’ tea with EU chief after Protocol deal

Former DUP leader Arlene Foster called the move ‘tone deaf’.

BRITAIN’S KING CHARLES III’s “constitutionally unwise” meeting with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has angered unionists as Rishi Sunak sought their support over the new post-Brexit deal on Northern Ireland.

Leading Conservative Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg said it was wrong to involve Charles in the “immediate political controversy” on the day the British Prime Minister signed a new agreement with her.

Arlene Foster, the former DUP leader and first minister of Northern Ireland, said the meeting in Windsor Castle was “crass and will go down very badly”.

Buckingham Palace said Charles was acting on “the Government’s advice”.

Downing Street said it was “fundamentally” a decision for Britain’s King.

King Charles III welcomed von der Leyen to Windsor Castle at the end of her busy day following a joint press conference with Sunak to outline the new deal dubbed the Windsor Agreement.

The briefing for the major political development, which in some ways aims to heal tensions between the UK and EU, was staged at Windsor Guildhall where King Charles III and Camilla married in 2005, a ceremony that set the seal on their long relationship.

Charles was pictured warmly shaking hands with the EU chief in a drawing room of the royal residence where they were served tea during their discussions said to be very productive.

Topics covered included climate change and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but it is not known if Northern Ireland was on the agenda.

There have been reports suggesting the meeting was arranged following a direct approach by the EU chief to Buckingham Palace, but this would be highly unusual as the normal channels of communication would go through the UK Government.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “The King is pleased to meet any world leader if they are visiting Britain and it is the Government’s advice that he should do so.”

embedded271167605 European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen arriving at Windsor Castle Stefan Rousseau / PA Images Stefan Rousseau / PA Images / PA Images

‘Constitutionally unwise’

But ahead of King Charles III’s audience with von der Leyen, Rees-Mogg, a former Cabinet minister, said: “It is surprising that The King will meet Ursula von der Leyen today as it antagonises the people the Prime Minister needs to conciliate.

“It is also constitutionally unwise to involve the King in a matter of immediate political controversy.”

Arlene Foster added: “I cannot quite believe that No 10 would ask HM the King to become involved in the finalising of a deal as controversial as this one. It’s crass and will go down very badly in NI.

“We must remember this is not the King’s decision but the Government who it appears are tone deaf.”

There had been warnings the meeting could draw Britain’s king, who as head of state must remain politically neutral, into the process of the UK and EU agreeing a deal or be seen as tacitly endorsing it.

Before King Charles III and von der Leyen met, Downing Street defended the move to advise him to meet the EU chief, saying Sunak “fundamentally” believed the final decision was for Charles.

“He firmly believes it’s for the King to make those decisions,” the British Prime Minister’s official spokesman said.

He compared the von der Leyen meeting to Charles talking to Poland’s Andrzej Duda or Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Asked why the final protocol talks were taking place in Windsor, he said: “There are a number of occasions when these sorts of talks have been held in significant locations, this is no different.”

king-charles-iii-receives-european-commission-president-ursula-von-der-leyen-during-an-audience-at-windsor-castle-berkshire-picture-date-monday-february-27-2023 King Charles III with von der Leyen Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Conservatives were among those voicing their criticism of the meeting before it was even confirmed, following suggestions the deal would be called the Windsor Agreement.

And Sammy Wilson, the DUP’s chief whip said the expected meeting would risk dragging the King into a hugely controversial political issue”.

Royal commentator Peter Hunt, tweeted about the King: “He’s abandoned his unifying role and entered the political fray, in a foolish bid to be seen as statesmanlike.

“History won’t be kind. Someone’s head will roll.”

European Commission deputy chief spokeswoman Dana Spinant insisted the meeting was “not part of this process” to secure a deal.

Close
19 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny Wilson
    Favourite Johnny Wilson
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 6:07 PM

    Won’t be long before the anti vax lot crawl out of their rabbit holes

    108
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anthony Curran
    Favourite Anthony Curran
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 6:19 PM

    @Johnny Wilson: They’re too busy being anti immigrant these days

    110
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seosamh Ohuaine
    Favourite Seosamh Ohuaine
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 6:53 PM

    @Johnny Wilson: Whats the big deal with measles. Sure we all got it in the 80s and were then immune for life.

    39
    See 8 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jason Poole
    Favourite Jason Poole
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 6:54 PM

    @Anthony Curran: Comment of the year

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul O'Mahoney
    Favourite Paul O'Mahoney
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 7:13 PM

    @Anthony Curran: like most viruses the do tend to spread without a prevention.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul O'Mahoney
    Favourite Paul O'Mahoney
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 7:16 PM

    @Seosamh Ohuaine: Wow, if we had a vaccine for your obvious lack of knowledge….can’t use the word I wanted

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Trevor Donoghue
    Favourite Trevor Donoghue
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 7:16 PM

    @Seosamh Ohuaine: Yes, because it was much safer to get it as a child and gives you immunity, catching it as an adult is far more dangerous.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Éamonn O'Kane
    Favourite Éamonn O'Kane
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 7:44 PM

    @Seosamh Ohuaine: it also killls and can lead to long term disability.

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul O'Mahoney
    Favourite Paul O'Mahoney
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 7:57 PM

    @Éamonn O’Kane: Correct,

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute offside again
    Favourite offside again
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 8:48 PM

    @Paul O’Mahoney: apropos de rien : all good things come to an end. The world will keep spinning around. So will the galaxy. The Universe will find conciousness somewhere.
    You know that we die in the end !
    (sorry to ruin the film).
    It’s eternal life we’re looking for and indeed such a thing is possible if you’re spiritually inclined.
    In anycase ; there’s such a wide range of possibilties that I don’t understand how anyone can be an athiest.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat Redmond
    Favourite Pat Redmond
    Report
    Apr 3rd 2025, 1:09 PM

    @Seosamh Ohuaine: and children born blind as a result. Special schools for the blind no longer exist thanks to the vaccination

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank Foley
    Favourite Frank Foley
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 7:01 PM

    The 5pm train to Sligo from Dublin is always very busy ,not enough carriages and it’s impossible to get a seat until you get to Mullingar.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul O'Mahoney
    Favourite Paul O'Mahoney
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 8:03 PM

    And what about the train from Sligo to Dublin?

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AphroBeat
    Favourite AphroBeat
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 6:39 PM

    Time to lockdown again, zero measles! Let’s flatten the curve

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Donna Fallon
    Favourite Donna Fallon
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 8:28 PM

    @AphroBeat: Everything on this forum is so negative. Let’s flatten the curve… X amounts of deaths today from (not with apparently). I for one know people who died as a result of the lockdowns and literally nothing to do with a virus.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AphroBeat
    Favourite AphroBeat
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 9:16 PM

    @Donna Fallon: It was certainly a terrible time for many, Donna, my sincere condolences. Sadly, I knew people who took their own lives who struggled with loneliness. I, too, found it challenging being myself, but I found resilience from past traumatic experiences. Thankfully, many are vaccinated for MMR here, so it may not warrant a lockdown.

    11
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Donna Fallon
    Favourite Donna Fallon
    Report
    Apr 3rd 2025, 1:00 AM

    @AphroBeat: Thanks Man and sorry to hear you too had a tough time x I genuinely thought that you were being sarcastic in your initial comment… hope you are well now x

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny King
    Favourite Johnny King
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 7:18 PM

    Anyone who was on the train was also possibly exposed to the flu,covid,chicken pox,vomiting bug,farts,burps,general body odour etc. etc. Welcome to life.Stay home for the rest of your life If it upsets you.
    This is not news.
    Either you’ve been vaccinated against it and you’re fine because unlike the covid injections the measles one is actually a proper vaccine that makes you immune.Or you haven’t been vaccinated so you don’t care in the first place.So again,this is not news.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul O'Mahoney
    Favourite Paul O'Mahoney
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 7:59 PM

    @Johnny King: So are vaccines good or bad?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Luas Vuitton - Penneys Drag Queen
    Favourite Luas Vuitton - Penneys Drag Queen
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 8:01 PM

    @Johnny King: Disability payment late again? Measles, like Covid-19, is a notifiable infectious disease under the Health Acts and MOH legislation. Both have effective clinical responses. Your comments on vaccines insults the memory of C19 bereavement. If it had been available, some who be still with us.

    22
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny King
    Favourite Johnny King
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 9:14 PM

    @Paul O’Mahoney: almost all of them are amazing,life savers.The covid one technically doesn’t even qualify as a vaccine.Doesn’t make you immune,doesn’t stop you spreading it,At best they say it can very slightly help your recovery chances when you get covid.I would argue that this slight help they say it gives your immune system was offset ten fold by the false sense of security people thought they had after being told they wouldn’t get covid after getting the jabs,and so went about their business falsely believing that the covid jab was like a regular,effective vaccine that makes you immune

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny King
    Favourite Johnny King
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 9:28 PM

    @Luas Vuitton – Penneys Drag Queen: I’ve had one m.m.r. vaccine and I have never had measles as a result.I have had 3 covid injections and I’ve had covid 4 times that I’m aware of.Probably have had it ten more times than I’m unaware of since more than 95% of people that get it don’t have any symptoms whatsoever.This was proven by the mass testing that was done in China.If we had done mass testing here we would have realised this.
    So the point is I got the MMR vaccine.That PREVENTS you from getting measles,mumps and Rubella.I have had THREE Covid so called vaccines and have had covid probably between 10 and 15 times.Can you understand the difference there? One works.The other doesn’t.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richie Whelan
    Favourite Richie Whelan
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 9:25 PM

    We all got measels as kids ,how is it so dangerous all of a sudden

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Doe
    Favourite John Doe
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 11:39 PM

    @Richie Whelan: PARENTS NOT VACCINATING THEIR KIDS! How do ye not understand this yet?!

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Green Masquerader
    Favourite Green Masquerader
    Report
    Apr 3rd 2025, 2:01 PM

    @John Doe: but but..let them decide themselves!
    No damn parents anymore they are all wannabe social workers now.

    I wanna run in trafffic
    Ok honey I am empowering you to make a good choice.
    Death

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Grant
    Favourite Dave Grant
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 6:59 PM

    No one is safe until everyone is safe.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seanfhear míshásta
    Favourite Seanfhear míshásta
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 7:52 PM

    an American?

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute bruce banner
    Favourite bruce banner
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 10:20 PM

    Hope the EU hurries up and suspends travel of americans into europe. Keeps us all more healthy physically and mentally.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Luas Vuitton - Penneys Drag Queen
    Favourite Luas Vuitton - Penneys Drag Queen
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 7:57 PM

    Great to see Iarnród Eireann improving the quality of catering on the Sligo train, finally.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ian Heaton
    Favourite Ian Heaton
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 6:44 PM

    Need to start doing some spot checks.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Green Masquerader
    Favourite Green Masquerader
    Report
    Apr 3rd 2025, 2:03 PM

    @Ian Heaton:its the mumps next
    Probably the foreigners kissing

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sickof thisshit
    Favourite Sickof thisshit
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 6:13 PM

    Ah here..
    That’s ridiculous…

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fergus O'Donnell
    Favourite Fergus O'Donnell
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 9:21 PM

    Punam Rane was completely right.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Green Masquerader
    Favourite Green Masquerader
    Report
    Apr 3rd 2025, 2:02 PM

    @Fergus O’Donnell: i though that was commen knowledge like!.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Padraig O'Brien
    Favourite Padraig O'Brien
    Report
    Apr 3rd 2025, 11:49 AM

    All together now
    “We had sailed seven years when the measles broke out and the ship lost its way in a fog……..

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rolf Kane
    Favourite Rolf Kane
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 6:57 PM

    One, could conclude that, there is a memorandum of Understanding, between all sides, Officially!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rolf Kane
    Favourite Rolf Kane
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 6:30 PM

    One, is ready for such outcome, there should not be any issues

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rolf Kane
    Favourite Rolf Kane
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 8:36 PM

    Still watching, decent game, 1 up for Home team

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rolf Kane
    Favourite Rolf Kane
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 8:58 PM

    One, is watching live !

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rolf Kane
    Favourite Rolf Kane
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 8:01 PM

    Still watching, live score o

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rolf Kane
    Favourite Rolf Kane
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 7:07 PM

    One, is aware of kick off, original colours as agreed, ” You & me ” !

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rolf Kane
    Favourite Rolf Kane
    Report
    Apr 2nd 2025, 7:49 PM

    One, is live watching!

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      News in 60 seconds