Boris Johnson and Charles all smiles in Rwanda as they enjoy ‘tea and catch up’
The body language of Charles and the politician was positive.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Prince of Wales were all smiles as they sat down for their much-anticipated “cup of tea and a catch up” at the Commonwealth summit.
The body language of Charles and the politician was positive after Mr Johnson on Thursday appeared to take a veiled verbal swipe at Charles and critics of his plans to remove migrants to Rwanda.
Before the talks began, the Prime Minister had stepped back from comments he would tell the heir to the throne, who reportedly described the asylum seeker policy as “appalling” in private remarks, to be open-minded about the initiative.
The de-escalation of the brewing row was reflected in the demeanour of the two men, who met before the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) being held in Rwandan capital Kigali.
Mr Johnson nodded his head in deference and smiled as he shook hands with Charles as the Commonwealth secretary-general Baroness Scotland and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame watched on.
After the launch of the summit, the two men posed for pictures before their talk, which lasted for 15 minutes, with just the politician and the royal alone in the room without aides or advisers.
The Prime Minister jokingly asked the press, who had been ushered into the room, “Who are you?” while Charles stood a little self-consciously, with his hand in his pocket, but managed a chuckle before the pair sat alone.
On a table nearby, croissants and snacks were laid for the meeting.
After a cameraman, photographer, journalist and two people recording the moment for Number 10 – a videographer and a photographer – were shown out, tea was taken in.
After 15 minutes, Mr Johnson was the first to leave as he made his way to another meeting, and Charles’ private secretaries and the Queen’s top aide stepped into the room, apparently for a debrief.
They were Clive Alderton, Charles and Camilla’s principal private secretary; Chris Fitzgerald, deputy private secretary to the prince for foreign, Commonwealth and development affairs; and the Queen’s private secretary Sir Edward Young, who has joined the Clarence House entourage for the visit.