Nov 23, 2024 Story by: Editor
A new book has revealed tensions between Boris Johnson and King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, over issues related to slavery and colonialism. According to journalist Tim Shipman in his account of Brexit titled Out, Johnson believed Charles had succumbed to “woke ideology” following the royal’s remarks about acknowledging the “evils” of colonialism.
The conflict reportedly began when Charles criticized the UK government’s policy to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, calling it “appalling.” Shipman’s book details that Charles feared the policy could strain relationships at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda. Johnson allegedly confronted Charles privately during the summit, accusing him of undermining the government’s stance. According to the book, Johnson asked, “Did you actually criticize government policy?” Charles is said to have replied, “Well maybe, inadvertently, without intention I may have said something.”
The disagreements escalated when the topic shifted to slavery and reparations. Shipman writes that Charles expressed a desire to address the anger over colonialism fueled by the Black Lives Matter movement, stating his intent to acknowledge slavery’s atrocities. Johnson, however, reportedly warned him against making such statements, saying, “I wouldn’t talk about slavery if I were you, or you’ll end up having to sell the Duchy of Cornwall to pay reparations.” Johnson later told his communications director, Guto Harri, “I went in pretty hard.”
Despite the tensions, Charles made his feelings known at the Kigali meeting, stating, “I cannot describe the depth of my personal sorrow at the suffering of so many as I continue to deepen my own understanding of slavery’s enduring impact.” Harri remarked that the relationship between the two men “never fully recovered.”
The book also sheds light on Charles’s outrage over Johnson’s decision to prorogue Parliament to facilitate Brexit. The move, approved by the Queen despite concerns from some officials, was later deemed unlawful by the Supreme Court. A royal insider noted, “Charles was absolutely furious. He was outraged that Boris should treat the Queen like that. She wouldn’t ever say anything, but he was pretty robust in private.”
Shipman’s revelations offer a glimpse into the strained relationship between the former prime minister and the future monarch, highlighting their differing views on key political and historical issues. Source: Press Reader
