King Charles had to be fanned by one of his top aides during a climate change event at St James's Palace, as the UK endured its hottest June day on record with temperatures soaring to 35°C.
The King joined delegates from politics, science, business and international climate diplomacy for an environmental reception on Wednesday afternoon. As Charles mingled with guests, Master of the Household, retired Vice Admiral Tony Johnstone-Burt, held a small electric fan close to the King. The historic palace lacks air conditioning, prompting large fans to be placed around the rooms and dozens of traditional hand-held fans to be given to attendees.
Guests Feel the Heat
Some attendees mopped sweat from their brows, including Charles, who was seen dabbing his face. Many others fanned themselves as windows remained closed and curtains drawn against the heat, leaving little moving air in the room.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband spoke at the event, held during London Climate Action Week. He began with “safety announcements,” informing guests that a nurse was available and a quieter room was provided for those affected by the heat. Miliband remarked: “The very fact that we have to do that here in the UK in June says quite a lot about the circumstances that we are in.”
Focus on Super-Pollutants
The gathering aimed to accelerate momentum on super-pollutant action, hosted by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Speakers included Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Miliband added: “First, as I said at the outset, here we are in London on a 35C day. This didn’t used to be normal, but unfortunately, it is now the new normal, and we know that reducing methane emissions and other super-pollutants is one of the best things we can do to act on the climate crisis. We know we have to, because we know this is at best the new normal and at worst the coolest summers we’re going to have in the future, and that is a very chastening thought.”
King’s Busy Day in the Heat
Earlier, Charles met the Afghan Refugee Women’s cricket team at Clarence House, hearing how they were smuggled out of Afghanistan after receiving death threats from the Taliban. The team, which is not recognised in Afghanistan where women’s sport is banned, is in the UK for a series of matches. The meeting was moved indoors due to the heatwave.
Later, the King surprised a student with his Jiu Jitsu black belt during a visit to the Roger Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in Hammersmith. Charles watched demonstrations and reminisced about his time in the Royal Navy, joking that grappling resembled a tug-of-war on HMS Bronington. He was presented with a white belt, the entry-level grading, which he waved in front of his face as students applauded.
