King Charles would consider a state visit to China if requested by the Prime Minister, sources indicated on Saturday. Buckingham Palace has not dismissed the possibility of such a trip, which would be the first by a British monarch in four decades and could prove politically challenging.
One Whitehall source told The Mail on Sunday that the King would be "quite up for it, if it came to it." However, a senior Conservative source described the prospect as "seriously divisive politics." Royal insiders emphasize that such a visit is not currently on the agenda and would involve navigating complex logistical and political issues.
As Prince of Wales, Charles expressed strong opposition to the Chinese regime, particularly due to his support for Tibet and the Dalai Lama. He previously boycotted state banquets for Chinese presidents Jiang Zemin in 1999 and Hu Jintao in 2005 over China's human rights record. He was also notably critical of Chinese officials and avoided a state banquet for President Xi Jinping in 2015.
Despite concerns over China's alleged state-sponsored activities in the UK, including cyber attacks and political infiltration, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband reportedly favors closer ties with Beijing. This approach contrasts with security officials' warnings and comes as the UK relies on China for solar panels essential to the government's Net Zero climate agenda.
Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith criticized the potential visit, stating, "If it is true the King might be going to China it is utterly appalling. They are effectively at war with us, and should not be rewarded for it."
Diplomats reportedly viewed King Charles's recent Caribbean tour as successful, particularly his reception in Guyana, where China has been increasing its influence.
Bob Seely, a former MP, argued in an opinion piece for the Daily Mail that a state visit to China would be "a trip too far." He questioned the rationale for "debas[ing] ourselves" with such a visit to a leadership he described as behaving "destructively towards us." Seely contrasted the debate over historical slavery in the Caribbean with China's current practices, including alleged forced labor in its industries and the use of silicon in solar panels.
