King Charles felt the heat during a stifling climate reception at St James's Palace on Wednesday, as the UK recorded its hottest June day ever. A senior aide kept an electric fan close to the monarch while he mingled with guests at the London Climate Action Week event hosted by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Record-Breaking Heat
The Met Office reported a provisional temperature of 35.7°C, breaking the previous June record from 1976, which was later surpassed by 35.8°C. The historic St James's Palace lacks air conditioning, prompting organisers to place large fans around the rooms and provide dozens of hand-held fans to attendees.
Master of the Household, retired Vice Admiral Tony Johnstone-Burt, whose department manages royal entertaining, was seen holding a small electric fan near the King as he conversed with guests.
Energy Secretary's Remarks
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband addressed the gathering, beginning with "safety announcements" that included the availability of a nurse and a quieter room for those affected by the heat. He 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."
Miliband highlighted the link between the heat and climate action: "Here we are in London on a 35C day. This didn’t used to be normal, but unfortunately it is now the new normal." He added that reducing methane and other super-pollutants is crucial, stating: "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."
Focus on Super-Pollutants
The reception aimed to accelerate action on super-pollutants like methane, black carbon, and nitrous oxide. Speakers included Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The UK became co-chair of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition alongside Brazil in March 2024, a partnership of over 200 governments and organisations.
Miliband emphasised that addressing methane benefits climate, air quality, energy security, food security, and public health, calling air pollution a "silent killer."
During the event, the King viewed displays highlighting the impact of super-pollutants and learned about mitigation efforts from groups such as the Clean Air Task Force, Clean Air Fund, and the Wellcome Trust.
