King reveals regret at not visiting Fiji on royal tour

The King has 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 spoke to the High Commissioner of Fiji during an international sustainability conference at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.

He told Jovilisi Vulailai Suveinakama: “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.

The King welcomed business leaders and climate organisations to Buckingham Palace for the event, including 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.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero hosted a talk on clean energy, which included a discussion about how to finance the transition to renewable energy.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs also led a discussion about ending plastic pollution, which was hosted in partnership with the Ellen McCarther Foundation.
Emma Hardy, minister for water and flooding, who hosted the plastic pollution talk, said: “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.”