King Charles meets Syrian President al-Sharaa in London

The duo spoke about the best ways to develop cooperation between the nations.

President al-Sharaa met with Sir Keir Starmer as part of his visit to the United Kingdom, with the leaders discussing the importance of a relationship between the UK and Syria.

Sir Keir and the President raised the current situation in the Middle East, both affirming the importance of avoiding further escalation and restoring stability in the region.

They discussed needing a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid growing economic uncertainty.

The Prime Minister set out how he hopes to make further progress on migration, including closer ties with people returning to the UK without the right to be here.

The pair also spoke about border security and efforts to combat people-smuggling networks.

Sir Keir and President al-Sharaa both agreed to keep in touch.

Their meeting comes amid reports that the King wrote two separate notes expressing reservations about Peter Mandelson's selection as Britain's ambassador to the United States.

When asked to formally approve the appointment as constitutionally required, the monarch reportedly attached a note posing a question along the lines of: "Do you really think that's wise?"

A second communication from Buckingham Palace similarly conveyed His Majesty's misgivings about granting the controversial peer such a prominent diplomatic posting.

The King and Sir Keir also discussed the matter during their regular weekly audience, according to Private Eye.

Reports indicate that King Charles was taken aback by the Foreign Office's formal approval letter, which included a complimentary CV that failed to mention Lord Mandelson's previous Government resignations or his Epstein connections.

It comes as scrutiny on the Prime Minister over his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson to the Washington role continues.

Questions are now being raised about whether correspondence between the King and ministers regarding the appointment will feature in forthcoming document releases.

Sir Keir has pledged to publish an extensive range of materials connected to the peer's selection, with an initial batch of files made public last month.

A further set of papers is expected to follow, though certain documents will likely be held back.

Lord Mandelson received the ambassadorship in December 2024, but the Prime Minister dismissed him from the position in September of last year after fresh details emerged concerning his association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

He had previously resigned twice from Tony Blair's Cabinet amid separate scandals.

Lord Mandelson has stated he will cooperate fully with investigators and intends to clear his name.

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