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Donald Trump and Prince Charles ‘in diplomacy row over climate change’ ahead of President’s first UK visit

The royal is a vocal environmentalist

Siobhan Fenton
Social Affairs Correspondent
Sunday 29 January 2017 12:50 GMT
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Prince Charles has campaigned on climate issues for decades
Prince Charles has campaigned on climate issues for decades (Getty)

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Donald Trump and Prince Charles are reportedly engaged in a diplomatic row about climate change, which threatens to damage US-British relations ahead of the new President’s first state visit to the UK.

The royal is a famously vocal environmentalist, who runs Duchy Originals, an organic food company. Conversely, President Trump is a loud climate change denier, who has claimed that global warming is a hoax invented by the Chinese.

The difference of opinion is said to be a growing sore spot, about which both camps are nervous ahead of Mr Trump’s first visit to the UK. Prime Minister Theresa May was the first foreign leader to visit Mr Trump following his inauguration and she announced that he has also accepted an invitation on behalf of Queen Elizabeth to visit the UK for an official state visit later this year.

Members of the Republican politician’s staff have warned that Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth’s son, should not “lecture” him on climate change during the visit in case the fiery politician “erupts” in return, The Sunday Times reports. He has reportedly expressed a preference that the younger generation of royals, such as Prince Charles’ sons William and Harry, meet him instead.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has called for Mr Trump to be banned from the UK until he reverses his ban on refugees being allowed to enter the US.

The travel ban was put in place by an executive order shortly after his inauguration. It has proved extremely controversial and prompted protests at American airports and around the US.

It is anticipated that a visit to the UK could see similar protests against the travel ban being held by British social justice groups.

During her visit, Ms May was asked on multiple occasions to condemn the refugee ban but she declined to do so, instead remarking that it was up to the US to decide its own policy on refugees.

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