King Charles hosts sustainability reception at Buckingham Palace as monarch reveals regret at not visiting Fiji during royal tour because ‘doctors wouldn’t let me’

King Charles appeared in good spirits as he hosted an international sustainability reception at Buckingham Palace this evening. 

Charles, 75, welcomed business leaders and climate organisations to the palace for the event in London on Wednesday, November 6. 

Attendees included Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband and Environment Secretary Steve Reed.

The aim of the talks was to increase action across climate issues before the end of negotiations on the Global Plastics Treaty at the end of the year, and in advance of the UN climate change conference Cop29, which will be held in Azerbaijan.

During the reception in London on November 6, the King also revealed his regret at not visiting Fiji on his recent royal tour of Australia and Samoa after being advised against it for medical reasons.

Charles, 75, welcomed business leaders and climate organisations to the palace for the event in London on Wednesday, November 6

Speaking to the High Commissioner of Fiji, Jovilisi Vulailai Suveinakama, Charles admitted, ‘I felt so bad we couldn’t get to Fiji (on the royal tour), the doctors wouldn’t let me.’

Charles visited the region in October, but the tour was pared down on doctors’ advice due to the 75-year-old monarch’s recent cancer diagnosis, with trips to New Zealand and Fiji removed from the plans.

However, Charles looked upbeat and positive during Wednesday’s reception, with the king picking a smart navy suit for the occasion. 

He fastened a remembrance poppy pin on the lapel of his jacket, and picked a printed tie and matching pocket square as accessories for the evening. 

During the event, Charles was seen greeting guests, including Lammy and retired English yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur DBE.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs led a discussion about ending plastic pollution, which was hosted in partnership with the Ellen McCarther Foundation.

Emma Hardy, the minister for water and flooding, hosted the talk, noting: ‘The King is clearly very passionate, both the plastic treaty and his support are really important as we build momentum in the next few weeks.’

Sophie Westlake, deputy director for the government’s international energy team added: ‘There was a real interest in the UK stepping up. It was about trying to work out who from financing is willing and ready to go on that journey with us.

‘The King is keen to encourage and be a part of the mission that we set out.’

Attendees included Foreign Secretary David Lammy

Charles in conversation with Dame Ellen MacArthur 

King Charles shakes hands with Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband (second right)

The King brought together leading voices from the public and private sectors at the reception to highlight progress and opportunities for collaboration on international sustainability issues, including climate change and plastic pollution

Queen Camilla was notably absent from the reception after she cancelled her public engagements on Tuesday, November 5, so she can recover from a nasty chest infection. 

The 77-year-old royal is understood to be recovering at home in Wiltshire and is being monitored by doctors. 

Earlier this week, Country & Town House magazine honoured Charles on its annual list of ‘Future Icons Power People’ for his long-standing commitment to highlighting the effects of climate change. 

The Prince of Wales was also included on the list of sustainability changemakers, in recognition of launching the Earthshot Initiative, with the Princess of Wales’ support.  

Earlier this week, Country & Town House magazine honoured Charles on its annual list of ‘Future Icons Power People’ for his long-standing commitment to highlighting the effects of climate change

Charles’ most recent official engagement comes days it after it was revealed that the king is making millions out of the cash-strapped NHS,

Meanwhile, the king and queen are set to take a visit to Italy next year – if health permits.

Charles, who is still undergoing cancer treatment, is said to have felt ‘lifted’ by his recent trip to Australia and Samoa, where he carried out up to 10 engagements a day.

The king is now set to return to a ‘full programme’ of overseas tours next year following a new vote of confidence in his health from his doctors.

And sources close to Charles, who paused treatment to undertake the 30,000-mile, 11-day round-trip, have explained it was all part of his ‘mind, body and soul’ approach to his cancer battle. 

Travelling in particular is seen as a tonic for the king, who will likely visit the capital city of Rome and schedule an audience with the Pope at the Vatican.

Charles was so buoyed by his Australia tour – as were his doctors – that he is looking at a return to normality next year.

‘We’re now working on a pretty normal-looking full overseas tour programme for next year,’ a senior royal official said, suggesting that the traditional spring and autumn tours will be back on the cards.

Speaking about a potential visit to Italy, one royal source told The Mirror: ‘The King is raring to go and incredibly positive about making plans for the future.

‘Although in the early stages, a visit to Italy would provide a fantastic opportunity for the King and Queen to represent the UK and take in some of the incredible sites of one of our closest neighbours.’ 

King Charles meets Environment Secretary Steve Reed at the reception at Buckingham Palace

Another insider said the King was ‘keen to make up for lost time’, having taken a step back to undergo treatment for cancer.

Charles is said to be optimistic and see the future as ‘bright’, which could not always be said to have been the case after the King was diagnosed earlier this year.

After the initial shock of such a ‘striking’ diagnosis, he realised ‘in a heartbeat’ how much he had in common with so many millions of people in the UK and across the Commonwealth.

It’s been a huge source of strength, they say, for him to talk to others about their shared experiences.

And he hopes others have taken comfort from the fact that even ‘a king can get cancer’.