King Charles should “calm down” and refrain from concerning himself with net zero too much, according to royal historian Dr David Starkey.
It comes after the monarch told the State Banquet in Paris during a visit to the French capital that climate change remains our “most existential challenge” just a day after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak scaled back on key green efforts.
Speaking on GB News, Starkey said the issue of net zero is likely to become increasingly “divisive” as the UK ploughs towards a general election, meaning Charles may be best served by steering clear.
In a historic address, Charles called for “hope and courage” in the battle against global warming as he spoke for 18 minutes before receiving a standing ovation.
David Starkey has issued a warning to King Charles
PA / GB NEWS
French President Emmanuel Macron praised the King’s long-standing “conviction” on the issue.
Starkey commented: “I think he should calm down. He’s had it very easy so far.
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“There’s been no real political dispute about it, I think quite wrongly.
“All of our political parties have had a broad agreement that the climate has something terrible going on.
“Sunak’s intervention has shown that has stopped. Although he did say of course that he remains committed to the 2050 target.
“It’s quite clear that it’s going to be costly and profoundly divisive.
Sunak has scaled back on his net zero plans
Parliament.TV“This is going to become a matter of deep and dangerous and divisive political divide.”
Sunak has faced fierce criticism after weakening a host of pledges on Wednesday designed to help the UK reach net zero by 2050.
He pushed back a ban on new petrol and diesel cars by five years and watered down the plan to phase out gas boilers by 2035, but has insisted he is “absolutely not slowing down” efforts.
The monarch, as the Prince of Wales, spent decades passionately campaigning on green and environmental issues.
King Charles made a speech in FrenchPAStarkey suggested that Charles’ steadfast commitment to the matter could soon be thrown into question as perceptions towards the climate crisis are not as unanimous as they perhaps once were.
“He seemed to be vindicated”, he said.
“Public opinion decided he was right, but suddenly the great unwash - people are recognising what the cost is going to be and Sunak appears to be speaking for them.
“It’s not that the King has been going on about this for a long time, but the circumstances have suddenly changed.”
The King also told banquet attendees he would do what it takes to aid the “indispensable relationship” between the UK and France.
He spoke in glowing terms about the “friendship and warm familiarity” between the two countries as he reaffirmed his positive relations with Emmanuel Macron.
“Just as we stand together against military aggression, so must we strive together to protect the world from our most existential challenge of all – that of global warming, climate change and the catastrophic destruction of nature,” he said.
He also recalled how President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to his mother, the late Queen, during her Platinum Jubilee last year and described her as the golden thread binding the nations together.
Charles told the Senate: “In the rich and complex tapestry of the relationship between France and the United Kingdom, my mother’s golden thread will forever shine brightly. Let it inspire us all to continue to weave the connections between our two countries – with determination, hope and with love.”