Today, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet King Charles III at Windsor Castle, but Eurosceptics fear the monarch will be drawn into politics in order to sell the new Brexit deal.
The European Union chief will meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Windsor, where they are expected to finalise the terms of a new Northern Ireland Protocol agreement. Ms von der Leyen will then meet with the King for tea, which is expected to spark a furious backlash from many Tory rebels.
The Times Political Editor Steven Swinford tweeted: “Ursula von der Leyen has audience with the King this afternoon
“Potentially politically explosive – Tory Eurosceptics and the DUP accused No 10 of dragging King into politics over the weekend in order to sell Brexit deal, which No 10 refuted, saying it was independent.”
Conservative Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg has also warned that meeting the King before MPs approve any deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol would be a mistake.
This follows anger at suggestions it could have been called the “Windsor Agreement”